A tragic accident occurred when a grandfather and his 5-year-old granddaughter were swept off a California beach, resulting in the girl’s drowning and the disappearance of the man.
Following the incident on November 25, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for the 54-year-old man, despite an extensive 22-hour search that covered 100 square miles of the area where the accident took place.
Reportedly, the two were swept into the ocean by a powerful wave near Martins Beach, Half Moon Bay, around 1:20 p.m., as per reports by McClatchy News. The girl was found by firefighters and taken to a hospital, but tragically, she did not survive.
The missing man has been identified as Pascal A. Micheletto Soriano, the grandfather of the young girl. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office warned of beach hazards such as sneaker waves and rip currents through a tweet on November 26.
Every year, drowning claims the lives of 4,000 people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children are especially vulnerable to drowning, and factors such as lack of swimming skills, unsupervised access to water, and alcohol consumption near water can significantly increase the risk.
Protective Measures
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance provides important safety tips for water activities, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone, using appropriate equipment, and trusting your instincts to leave the water if something feels wrong.
It’s essential for families to be mindful of water safety to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
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