Soldier Lost to Pacific Waves in Big Sur Tragedy

Army Specialist Amanpreet Thind, a 35-year-old soldier studying at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, has been identified as missing after being swept into the Pacific Ocean over the weekend. The incident took place at Soberanes Point in Garrapata State Park, Big Sur, where Thind was with two women. While the women were able to self-rescue and were treated for minor injuries, Thind remains unaccounted for.

Monterey County Sheriff's Office initiated a large-scale search, but efforts are restricted to daylight hours due to safety concerns. Water conditions have been challenging, initially too treacherous for divers. The Big Sur coastline, famed for its scenic beauty, is also notorious for its dangerous surf, which can rapidly change and pose a severe threat to visitors.

This event echoes a recent tragedy on November 14, where a father and daughter from Canada were swept away by a wave at Garrapata State Beach. The father perished while attempting to rescue his daughter, whose body was later recovered. Lifeguards and recovery experts urge extreme caution, emphasizing never turning one's back on the ocean, especially with holiday visitors expected.