Strong surf swept three people from the beach into the ocean in Big Sur on Saturday, the second such incident at Garrapata State Park in a week.
Two women and a man were swept off the rocks at Sobrenas Point around 3 p.m., according to a press release of California State Parks.
Both women returned to shore on their own and were taken to hospital with unknown injuries, but a man who was with them, believed to be in his 30s, was still missing.
“Around 4:24 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter spotted what appeared to be a body in the ocean, but due to high surf, it was lost from view,” parks officials said.
The search was suspended around 7 p.m. due to darkness and was scheduled to resume Sunday morning.
The missing person was wearing a white turban, black shorts, a black shirt and a black vest.
The National Weather Service warned that waves of 13 to 18 feet were expected at Big Sur and Monterey beaches through Monday night, and warned beachgoers to stay off rocks and the water's edge.
“Sneaker waves can unexpectedly run much farther than normal on the beach, even over rocks and jetties.” the meteorological service warned. “Rip currents tend to be more frequent and stronger near jetties, inlets and docks.”
Last week, a 7-year-old girl was swept into the ocean in the same park. Both she and her 39-year-old father died after he jumped to try to save her.
