Crews have suspended the search for a young boy who was swept out to sea by the strong surf at Cowell Ranch State Beach in San Mateo County on Monday afternoon.
The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly searched early Tuesday, then again after sunrise before calling off the search.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Department told KCBS Radio the missing boy, 12-year-old Arunay Pruthi of Fremont, was standing on the beach with his dad and eight-year-old brother south of Half Moon Bay when they were swept about 100 yards offshore by a wave around 3:45 p.m.
His dad and brother managed to wash back up onshore, but Arunay is still missing.
Emergency responders, firefighters and at least one helicopter unit were on the scene conducting the search Monday.
CAL FIRE Spokeswoman Cecile Juliette said Arunay's father was able to quickly wave down an officer for help.
"They ran over to the cliff side and there was a San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputy on the scene as well. And they were able to spot the 12-year-old boy who had been swept into the water about 100 yards offshore, but he was swept under."
The rescue effort is being conducted by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, the Coast Guard, California State Park Rangers and the San Mateo County Harbor District and continued after dark Monday before it had to be called off. Rescuers went back to work at first light Tuesday.
Juliette said just hours earlier, an adult and two kids were pulled into the surf further north on the coast by Moss Beach but managed to survive.
There have been numerous drownings and near drownings from Sonoma to Santa Cruz Counties over the past several weeks.
"You’re standing there on the beach watching all the waves come up and they all look the same and they’re all coming up at the same level. Then there’s just that one," said Juliette, who urged people to exercise caution and stay back from surf.
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