A young girl was swept into the ocean by a powerful "sneaker wave" at Cannon Beach, Oregon, in a frightening incident captured on video over the weekend. The child was walking with her parents when the large wave suddenly surged up the beach, knocking her off her feet and pulling her into the churning water.
The video shows the girl being dragged away from her mother as white, foamy water engulfed the area. Her father immediately rushed into the waves to reach her, pulling her by the arm and lifting her out of the surf. Another beachgoer, whose wife filmed the event, also approached to ensure the family was safe.
"I got you," the father said to his daughter as he held her. The girl's mother, who also fell in the water, was able to regain her footing and moved toward her child. Witnesses described the girl as looking "like a rag doll" when she was recovered, though it is unclear if she sustained any injuries.
Sneaker waves, characterized by their sudden and powerful surges far up the beach, are common along the Oregon coast, particularly during the fall and winter months. Officials warn that these waves can carry significant debris and powerful currents. They advise against fighting the current if caught in one, instead suggesting swimming parallel to the shore to escape.
Beachgoer Karin Kelsey Madsen, who recorded the incident, expressed concern about the number of people who seemed to disregard warnings to stay out of the water. The video also showed large logs being moved by the waves, illustrating the force involved.
Cannon Beach, known for its scenic beauty and iconic Haystack Rock, is a popular tourist destination. It also served as a filming location for the 1985 movie "The Goonies."