Laguna’s Treasure Island Beach. Photo: CaliforniaBeaches.com
Officials in Orange County have called off search efforts for a young girl who was swept into the ocean while swimming with her family on Tuesday evening. The announcement was made Wednesday night with plans for a transition to the monitoring of offshore and shoreline areas Thursday morning. Lifeguards and other public safety personnel are essentially on watch while conducting operational responsibilities, officials said.
On Tuesday evening, the young girl was with her mother and a sibling at Laguna’s Treasure Island Beach when a rogue wave reportedly swept them out into the ocean. Nearby beachgoers rushed in to rescue the family and were able to recover the mother and one of her children, but a search for the girl began immediately afterward. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release that the 24-hour search and recovery operation included lifeguards and partner agencies before the tragic transition to ongoing monitoring.
“This is one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community,” said Mayor Mark Orgill. “Our hearts go out to the young victim’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss. On behalf of the Laguna Beach community, I extend our deepest condolences and want the family to know they are in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Ocean conditions added challenges to search efforts, as one of the largest south swells in recent memory has been pounding the California coast throughout the week. The City of Laguna Beach noted that the large surf contributed to powerful currents and poor underwater visibility, forcing safety personnel to search for the missing girl in the same hazardous conditions that sparked the tragedy on Tuesday evening.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our Marine Safety, Fire, and Police personnel, as well as every agency that assisted in this effort,” said Mayor Mark Orgill. “These men and women put themselves in harm’s way, entering the same dangerous ocean conditions in an attempt to bring this young girl home to her family. Their commitment over the past 24 hours has been nothing short of extraordinary, and our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
