Dangerous waves swept a U.S. Army soldier into the Pacific Ocean near Monterey, and the dangerous waves immediately renewed public safety concerns. The incident occurred at Garrapata State Park, and authorities quickly launched a large search. Families and officials monitored updates as the dangerous waves continued to challenge rescue efforts.
The emergency began on Saturday afternoon near Soberanes Point. However, a powerful wave surged onto the rocky overlook and struck three people. The group included 35-year-old Army Specialist Amanpreet Thind. He studied at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey. The wave pulled him into the water within seconds.
Two women stood with him during the incident. They managed to escape the churning surf and reach safer ground. Emergency crews transported them to a hospital for treatment. Their injuries remained unclear, but officials confirmed their conditions had stabilized.
Authorities quickly mobilized local, state, and federal agencies. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the search effort. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed a helicopter crew to scan offshore waters. However, rough surf and strong winds complicated the mission. Crews spotted a possible body on Saturday afternoon but lost sight due to the high surf.
Search teams suspended operations at night. Darkness and growing swells made continued work unsafe. They resumed the mission early Sunday morning with additional support. However, officials shifted the effort from rescue to recovery as hours passed.
Col. Christy Whitfield, commandant of the Defense Language Institute, released a statement on Monday. She expressed hope for closure and offered condolences to the soldier’s family. Military leaders also supported the ongoing efforts by local responders.
The tragedy occurred only days after another fatal incident at the same park. A father and his seven-year-old daughter died after a strong wave pulled them into the ocean. Their deaths shocked visitors across the region and heightened concerns about coastal conditions.
Experts say late-year surf conditions often intensify along California’s central coast. Weather systems generate unpredictable surges and create hidden hazards. Therefore, local officials urged visitors to stay away from the shoreline and avoid rocky edges. They emphasized that ocean conditions can shift within seconds.
Agencies plan to continue recovery efforts as conditions allow. They also expect increased public warnings throughout the season. Overall, authorities hope stronger awareness will reduce deadly encounters along the rugged coastline.
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