A FAMILY that tried to rescue their dog from powerful surf in California have been swept out to sea, leaving the parents dead and their 16-year-old son missing, presumed dead, authorities say.
Waves reaching three metres high pulled the dog into the Pacific at Big Lagoon, north of San Francisco, as it ran to retrieve a stick, said Dana Jones, a state Parks and Recreation district superintendent.
Jones said the boy, went after the dog, prompting his father to go after them.
She said the teenager was able to get out, but when he didn’t see his father, he and his mother went into the water looking for him .Mary Elena Scott, 57, and Howard Gregory Kuljian, 54, both drowned in the tragedy. A massive search for their son, Gregory James Kuljian, has now been called off, authorities said. He has not been found and is presumed dead.
“Both were dragged into the ocean,” Jones said of Saturday’s tragedy. The couple’s daughter, 18-year-old Olivia, and Gregory’s girlfriend watched the horrifying ordeal from the beach. A nearby bystander called 911 at 12.40pm to report that the trio was in trouble – but by the time help arrived, nothing could be done.
Rescuers eventually retrieved the mother’s body, and the father’s body washed up. The dog got out of the water on its own, Jones said. The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and two motor life boats to search for the teenager, but the aerial search was ended because of thick fog.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Bernie Garrigan said on Monday a person without a wetsuit could not survive for long because of the frigid waters.
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