A tragic incident unfolded along the Big Sur coastline on Saturday when three individuals climbing the rocks at Soberanes Point were swept into the ocean by powerful surf. As rescue efforts continued into Monday, authorities confirmed that one of the climbers, 35-year-old Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army specialist from New Jersey, remains missing.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a devastating event the previous week, where a father and his 7-year-old daughter tragically drowned in similar rough waters at Garrapata Beach, roughly three miles north of the current location. Two other climbers managed to self-rescue and were taken to a hospital, receiving treatment for minor injuries and later released.
Thind, who was also a student at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, was last seen wearing a white turban, a black shirt, and a vest-style jacket with shorts. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Department expressed hope for his safe return while extending condolences to the Thind family during this traumatic time. Colonel Christy L. Whitfield, commandant at the Defense Language Institute, emphasized the support being provided to the family and acknowledged the efforts of first responders involved in the operation.
The rescue operation commenced shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday following a passerby’s report of individuals in distress in the water. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and CalFire, responded to the scene. A Coast Guard helicopter spotted a potential body in the ocean around 4:24 p.m., but efforts to relocate it were hampered by hazardous water conditions.
Search operations have been ongoing during daylight hours and suspended at night due to safety concerns. Weather conditions continued to pose challenges for the search teams, with dangerous surf making underwater searches difficult and impacting aerial drone operations.
The National Weather Service had issued a “beach hazards” warning prior to the incident, indicating waves could reach heights of 13 to 18 feet along the coastline. The statement warned of the hazards posed by sneaker waves that can unexpectedly surge further up the beach and onto rocks and jetties.
Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of Soberanes Point as the search operation persists, illustrating the dangers posed by the unpredictable ocean conditions in this stunning but perilous coastal region. As the search continues, the community holds onto hope for Thind’s safe recovery while reflecting on the recent tragedies that have struck this area.