A family outing during Southern California’s biggest swell of the summer (so far) turned tragic Tuesday night in Laguna Beach, where a young girl remains missing after multiple members of her family were swept into the ocean by humongous waves.
The incident unfolded near Treasure Island Beach as a massive South Pacific swell lit up surf spots across the region. While experienced surfers were scoring memorable waves from San Diego to Malibu – but the Wedge was really the star of the show; more on that to come – lifeguards and first responders were dealing with the swell’s darker side: dangerous currents, powerful shorebreak, and rapidly changing ocean conditions.
According to authorities, emergency crews responded around 8 p.m. after reports that several people had been swept into the water. Rescue personnel from multiple agencies launched an extensive search effort involving lifeguards, rescue boats, drones, and helicopters. As of Wednesday, one young girl remained missing. Here’s video:
“The search is ongoing,” officials said as crews continued scanning the waters and shoreline around Laguna Beach. Video from the scene showed helicopters circling overhead while emergency vessels combed the surf zone through the night.
“Based on preliminary information, a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean by powerful water conditions while near the shoreline,” Laguna Beach Marine Safety officials added in a news release. “Tragically, an adolescent female remains missing.”
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The tragedy comes as Southern California experiences one of the strongest south swells in recent years. At Newport Beach’s Wedge, wave faces reportedly exceeded 20 feet, while many south-facing beaches saw surf in the head-high range with larger sets. The National Weather Service issued warnings about dangerous surf, rip currents, and hazardous swimming conditions.
For surfers, the swell has delivered a rare run of powerful summer surf. Crowds packed beaches throughout Orange County to watch the spectacle, and seasoned watermen reveled in the long-period lines marching in from the South Pacific.
But incidents like the one in Laguna Beach serve as a sobering reminder that large surf doesn’t discriminate between surfers and beachgoers.
“It’s coming in big,” veteran surfer Andre Botha told FOX 11 while describing the swell. “You can feel the energy when you’re in the water.”
For one family, that energy turned into a nightmare. Prayers that she turns up okay.
Related: A Historic 20-Foot Swell Is About to Hit The Wedge — and the Beach is Almost Gone
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