Couple swept to sea while trying to save son, dog
EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — A couple died and their 16-year-old son went missing after being swept into sea in Northern California while trying to save their dog, authorities said Sunday.
The family was at Big Lagoon, a beach north of Eureka, Saturday afternoon when the dog chased after a thrown stick and got pulled into the ocean by eight to ten foot waves, 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.
"Both were dragged into the ocean," Jones said.
The Times-Standard reports (http://bit.ly/UmSP2P) the couple's daughter called police.
Jones said a park ranger had to run a half mile to get to the beach because his car wasn't made to handle the terrain. When he arrived, he wasn't able to get to them because of the high surf, she said.
Rescuers eventually retrieved the mother's body and the father's body washed up.
The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and two motor life boats to search for the teenager, but the aerial search was suspended Saturday evening by thick coastal fog.
A call seeking the status of the Coast Guard's search on Sunday wasn't immediately returned.
The dog got out of the water on its own, Jones said.
The family was at Big Lagoon, a beach north of Eureka, Saturday afternoon when the dog chased after a thrown stick and got pulled into the ocean by eight to ten foot waves, 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.
"Both were dragged into the ocean," Jones said.
The Times-Standard reports (http://bit.ly/UmSP2P) the couple's daughter called police.
Jones said a park ranger had to run a half mile to get to the beach because his car wasn't made to handle the terrain. When he arrived, he wasn't able to get to them because of the high surf, she said.
Rescuers eventually retrieved the mother's body and the father's body washed up.
The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and two motor life boats to search for the teenager, but the aerial search was suspended Saturday evening by thick coastal fog.
A call seeking the status of the Coast Guard's search on Sunday wasn't immediately returned.
The dog got out of the water on its own, Jones said.
"The dog got out of the water on its own, Jones said."
Â
This is more common than one realizes.
Â
I will tell my kid, "Don't chase the dog into serf, in the river, or across the desert. Get a new dog." And I CERTAILY won't let them chase ME into something foolish.
Â
People don't seem to respect water. Because of this lack of fear (valid fear) they risk their own lives for time, possessions or just aren't paying attention.
Â
I know you love the dog, but if he goes in, let him drown. I know you love your parent, but if you go in, you will likely drown.
Â
Now going in for a child. .. well no one can stop you, but think REAL hard if you have other children.
Â
Â
Â
Horrible. Horrible. Horrible. In the blink of an eye - three members of a family are lost. And one child survives them.Â
Â
Horrible and sad.Â
How heart wrenching for this daughter and extended family. A terrible, terrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the friends and family of these poor people.
How horribly sad.. So sorry to those they left behind..
I'm never going to the beach in North Carolina again
 @archon312 HUH ?
What an extreme tragedy for the daughter to have witnessed.Â
RIP family, at least you all went together at the same time... its sad, very sad but this way no one has to live with the guilt of "if only...." so sad
Terrible.Â