Garrapata State Beach, Yuji Hu, a 39-year-old father visiting from Calgary, became the center of a heartbreaking coastal tragedy that unfolded with terrifying speed on a Friday afternoon. The family had arrived at the scenic shoreline hoping for a peaceful day together, unaware that conditions in the water were far more dangerous than they appeared from the sand. With swells reaching up to 20 feet, the ocean was in no mood to be approached, yet the waves offered no warning before everything changed.
Witnesses recalled seeing Hu standing at the edge of the surf with his 5-year-old daughter, her small hand wrapped in his, moments before a sudden surge of water rose and engulfed them both. The force of the wave swept them off their feet and pulled them into a violent current. In an instant of pure instinct and fear, Hu’s wife rushed in after them, leaving their 2-year-old on the beach, confused and watching her family vanish into the churning sea.
Emergency crews were dispatched immediately after reports of a water rescue were called in. By the time first responders arrived, two bystanders—an off-duty park officer and a visitor—had managed to pull Hu from the water and were performing CPR on the sand. Despite their efforts and the rapid transport to the hospital, Hu could not be revived. The ocean’s power had been overwhelming and unforgiving.
Hu’s wife was located and rescued by lifeguards, suffering from hypothermia and emotional shock but ultimately surviving the ordeal. Her recovery, however, came with the devastating knowledge that their older daughter had not been found. Search teams from multiple agencies—fire crews, water rescue units, air support, and trained volunteers—spent hours extending the search along the coastline, battling rough waters and worsening weather in hopes of bringing the little girl home.
As the weekend progressed, the search turned increasingly difficult. By Sunday afternoon, conditions deteriorated to the point where rescue teams had to suspend operations. Only hours later, Mid-Coast Fire Chief Cheryl Goetz confirmed that a child’s body matching the missing girl’s description had been discovered and transferred to the coroner’s office. While official identification was still pending, the community understood the unbearable reality the family now faced.
