Second tragedy off Big Sur coast when three people swept into ocean, one still missing

"Rough surf off the coast of Big Sur swept three people into the ocean Saturday afternoon, and while two women survived, a male companion remained missing late Saturday, according to local reports. The harrowing incident off Soberanes Point comes a week after a father and his 7-year-old daughter were killed in rough waters three miles farther north off Big Sur's Garrapata Beach. A search operation for the missing man was under way Saturday."

"At around 4:24, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted what appeared to be a body in the ocean but, due to the high surf, lost visual, the Monterey County Sheriff's Department told KSBW News. Because of this and other factors, this has now turned into a search-and-recovery mission. Sheriff's deputies did not immediately return calls from the Bay Area News Group Saturday seeking more information. A receptionist there said she could only confirm the incident."

"Earlier Saturday, the National Weather Service had issued a beach hazards warning, with breaking waves expecting to reach 13 to 18 feet from Big Sur to Point Reyes north of San Francisco. Sneaker waves can unexpectedly run significantly farther up the beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties, the weather service statement issued at noon said. The hazardous conditions, caused by a long period northwesterly swell were expected to linger through Monday."

Rough surf off Soberanes Point in Big Sur swept three people into the ocean Saturday; two women survived and were hospitalized, while a male companion remained missing. A Coast Guard helicopter briefly spotted what appeared to be a body at about 4:24 but lost visual because of high surf, converting the response into a search-and-recovery mission. The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards warning, forecasting 13-to-18-foot breaking waves and hazardous sneaker waves from a long-period northwesterly swell expected to linger through Monday. The missing man was described as of Indian descent wearing a white turban and black clothing. Earlier, a father and his 7-year-old daughter drowned off Garrapata Beach; the girl's body was recovered days later.

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