Search suspended for Army specialist swept out to sea near Big Sur

The search operations for an Army specialist who was swept out to sea in the Big Sur area have been suspended, authorities announced on Wednesday.

“After four days of coordinated, intensive operations, and after consulting with California State Parks and other regional partners, the Sheriff’s Office has suspended formal search activities,” according to a news release from the Monterey County Sherriff’s Office.

Amanpreet Thind, 35, was swept out to ocean at Soberanes Point along the Garrapata State Park coastline on Saturday, Nov. 22.

“On the day of the incident, a Beach Hazard Statement was in effect,” the news release says. “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. 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.

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.

“We strongly urge the public not to conduct independent search efforts in or near the water. Ocean conditions along the Big Sur coastline are extremely hazardous.”