Search suspended for Army specialist who was swept out to sea

"Amanpreet Thind, 35, was swept out to ocean at Soberanes Point along the Garrapata State Park coastline on Nov. 22. On the day of the incident, a Beach Hazard Statement was in effect, the news release releases. Thind had been visiting Soberanes Point with three friends when a large wave struck the rocks, pulling him and two companions into the ocean. While the two friends were able to safely exit the water, Thind was not."

"Hazardous conditions initially limited the search operations keeping divers out of the water and making it so the search was only conducted during daytime hours. Yet, ocean conditions turned more favorable on Nov. 25, which allowed the Monterey County Sheriff's Office Dive Team and California State Parks Rescue Swimmers to search for Thind. A second consecutive day of in-water operations took place on Nov. 26. Private diver Juan Heredia of the Angels Recovery Dive Team was also part of the search efforts."

"Furthermore, the search was aided by drone support from both the California State Parks and the Sheriff's Office. Yet, Thind was still not found. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest sympathies to the Thind family during this painful time, the news release reads. We also want to recognize and thank all personnel and volunteers who dedicated significant time and effort to this search under challenging ocean conditions."

Amanpreet Thind, 35, was swept out to sea at Soberanes Point along the Garrapata State Park coastline on Nov. 22 while visiting with three friends; two companions exited safely, but Thind did not. A Beach Hazard Statement was in effect and hazardous conditions initially kept divers out and limited searches to daytime. Conditions improved on Nov. 25, allowing the Monterey County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, California State Parks Rescue Swimmers, a private diver, and drone teams to conduct in-water searches on Nov. 25–26. After four days of coordinated operations, formal searches were suspended and condolences were extended to the family; officials urged the public to avoid independent searches due to extremely hazardous coastal conditions.

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