A father and his 7-year-old daughter died at a Northern California beach after a powerful wave swept the girl away and he raced into the water to save her, officials said Sunday. The tragedy unfolded November 14th while the family was visiting Garrapata State Beach, a scenic but dangerous coastal spot near Carmel. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, a sudden 15–20-foot wave surged onto the shore and pulled the young girl into the ocean before anyone could react.

Her father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, Alberta, immediately jumped into the water. “He jumped into the water to try to rescue his daughter,” Monterey County Sheriff’s Commander Andres Rosas said, adding that “Dad had ahold of his daughter at one point,” according to NBC Bay Area.

But the violent surf was simply too strong. The enormous waves — fueled by a massive atmospheric river hitting the California coastline — pushed both Hu and his daughter farther out to sea. The girl’s mother also jumped in, desperately trying to reach them, but “was unsuccessful in reaching her family.” She eventually fought her way back to shore, where her 2-year-old child was waiting unharmed.

A nearby beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks officer were able to pull Hu from the water and immediately began CPR. He was rushed to a local hospital, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Rescue crews launched an extensive two-day search for the missing girl. Teams on foot combed the shoreline and cliffs while helicopters scanned from above and divers searched the water in challenging conditions. On Sunday, November 16th,  search teams located a child’s body about 100 yards offshore and roughly half a mile north of where she was last seen. Authorities later confirmed the heartbreaking news: it was the 7-year-old girl.

The mother, who suffered hypothermia during the ordeal, was briefly hospitalized and later released. She has asked for privacy as she grieves the loss of both her husband and daughter.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said, “The family has expressed their gratitude to all agencies, personnel, and community members involved in the search and recovery efforts. They continue to request privacy and do not wish to make further statements at this time.”

The tragedy occurred during a week when California was being battered by unusually powerful storms. Some coastal regions saw up to an inch of rain per hour, while Santa Barbara County recorded more than four inches in a single day.

Stories like Hu’s highlight the incredible, instinctive love of a parent — a willingness to sacrifice everything for their child. Please lift the grieving family in prayer.

Father, we lift up this heartbroken mother and her young child into Your loving hands. Surround them with Your comfort and peace as they face a loss that feels too heavy to bear. We pray that You would strengthen them day by day, provide for their every need, and bring hope to their hurting hearts. Wrap them in Your presence, Lord, and remind them that You are close to the brokenhearted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.