Key facts
- A teenage girl remains missing after being swept into the ocean by a large wave in Laguna Beach, California.
- The girl's mother and brother were rescued by bystanders.
- High surf conditions, with waves reaching up to 10 feet, are complicating search efforts.
- Rescue operations involve divers, vessels, and air resources, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol.
- Waves of 5-8 feet are forecast to persist along Southern California beaches through Thursday night.
The search for a teenage girl swept into the ocean by a large wave at Treasure Island Beach in Laguna Beach, California, expanded on Wednesday. The girl, her mother, and brother were walking on the beach Tuesday evening when they were engulfed by waves reaching approximately 10 feet high.
Two bystanders rescued the mother and son, who are reported to be in stable condition. A third individual who assisted in the rescue required assistance from a city lifeguard to get out of the water.
Laguna Beach Marine Safety, along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard, are utilizing divers, rescue vessels, and air resources in an expanded search area. However, the girl has not yet been found.
High surf conditions are expected to continue along Southern California beaches, with waves forecast between 5 to 8 feet through at least Thursday night. Some areas, like Malibu, could experience waves up to 10 feet. Normally, surf height in Orange County is below 6 feet.