Body of girl swept into Laguna Beach surf recovered

Authorities in Southern California have recovered the body of a 5-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean this week at Laguna Beach, ending a search that lasted nearly 30 hours and covered more than 90 square miles.

The girl was found Thursday morning after police spotted a body during an aerial survey of the coastline, the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department said. The sighting was 250 to 300 yards offshore of Christmas Cove, about a quarter-mile north of Treasure Island Beach, near where the child had been swept away Tuesday evening, according to police and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel recovered the girl with help from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department coroner positively identified her, and her family has been notified, officials said.

The child was with her mother and sibling in the water when they were swept into the ocean during “powerful water conditions,” Laguna Beach Marine Safety said Wednesday. The Guardian, citing ABC News, reported that the girl, her mother and brother had been walking along the shore of Treasure Island Beach in Orange County when a wave engulfed them.

Two bystanders entered the water and rescued the mother and one child, officials said. Searchers then began looking for the 5-year-old in rough conditions. The Coast Guard said it suspended the search Thursday after more than 30 hours and more than 90 square miles covered.

Rescuers faced poor underwater visibility and powerful currents during the search, The Guardian reported, citing ABC News.

Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill offered condolences to the girl’s family after the recovery. “This is one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community,” he said in a statement.

The incident came as elevated surf and hazardous beach conditions affected parts of Southern California. On Tuesday, Laguna Beach faced elevated surf, with swells reported as high as 9 feet, according to NBC News. The Guardian reported that Kai Bond, the city’s marine safety chief, said in a Tuesday video that swells of up to 10 feet had been observed.

“Please know that when you come to the beach that you need to understand your abilities. And if you’re not an expert, you need to stay out of the water,” Bond said.

The National Weather Service had warned of high wave heights and rip currents across Southern California, and cautioned Orange County beachgoers about a high risk for rip currents. Those fast-moving channels of water can carry swimmers away from shore. The hazardous conditions were expected to persist through Thursday evening, according to the agency.