Man swept into ocean at Big Sur Saturday identified
Photo from Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Missing male was identified as a 35-year-old U.S. Army specialist from New Jersey
– The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man swept into the ocean at Soberanes Point on Saturday as New Jersey resident Amanpreet Thind.
According to a news release from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, search efforts to recover his body are still ongoing. The missing male was identified as a 35-year-old U.S. Army specialist from New Jersey.
Col. Christy L. Whitfield, commandant at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, stated, “The missing person from Saturday’s incident at Garrapata State Park is Spc. Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army Soldier and student at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. As search and recovery operations continue, we hold out hope that Spc. Thind will be found. We offer our deepest condolences to the Thind family during this difficult time. We are providing those impacted with every resource and support service available and extend our heartfelt gratitude to local, state, and national first responders working tirelessly to locate Spc. Thind.”
On Saturday, Nov. 22, three people were swept off the rocks and into the ocean at Soberanes Point within Garrapata State Park. Two women were able to self-rescue and were transported to a local hospital, where they were treated and released for minor injuries.
A large-scale multi-agency response began immediately and involved multiple agencies. Search efforts have continued each day but have been suspended during darkness for safety reasons. Search operations resumed Monday morning and were led by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office alongside California State Parks and CalFire.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Dive Team reported that water conditions remain unsafe for entry at this time. Conditions appear favorable for Wednesday, and a water search may begin depending on those conditions.
The public is asked to stay away from the Soberanes Point area as search efforts continue. A beach hazards statement remains in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. Sneaker waves and strong rip currents with breaking waves of 13 to 18 feet are possible.
