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U.S. Army Specialist Missing After Being Swept Into Ocean at Garrapata State Park

02:29 AM, 11/26/2025
U.S. Army Specialist Missing After Being Swept Into Ocean at Garrapata State Park

Spc. Amanpreet Thind, 35, has been missing since Nov. 22 after being swept from the rocks into the Pacific at Soberanes Point in Garrapata State Park. A multi-agency search involving Coast Guard helicopters and local teams was launched but was repeatedly hindered by dangerous surf, strong winds and darkness. Two women with Thind self-rescued and sustained minor injuries; Thind has not been found. Authorities warn the public to stay off rocks while conditions remain hazardous.

A 35-year-old U.S. Army specialist, Spc. Amanpreet Thind of New Jersey, has been missing since he was swept from the rocks into the Pacific Ocean at Soberanes Point, part of Garrapata State Park, on Nov. 22. Thind is a student at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey County.

Search operations and timeline

Authorities received reports around 3:00 p.m. local time that Thind and two women had been knocked from the rocks into the water. The two women were able to self-rescue, were treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. Thind, who was reported to be wearing a white turban, a black shirt, shorts and a vest, has not been located.

A multi-agency response involved U.S. Coast Guard helicopters, local sheriff's deputies and other vessels. At 4:24 p.m. a Coast Guard helicopter observed what appeared to be a body in the water, but crews lost visual contact because of dangerous surf. Search teams continued until about 7:00 p.m., when operations were suspended because of darkness and hazardous conditions.

Searches resumed the following day but were hampered by strong winds, rough seas and hazardous surf that limited diving and close-water operations. Officials said water conditions remained dangerous into Monday; rip currents and sneaker waves with breaks of 13 to 18 feet were possible. Authorities cautioned the public to stay off the rocks and away from the water's edge while search efforts continue.

Statement and community response

Col. Christy L. Whitfield, commandant of the Defense Language Institute, said, "As search and recovery operations continue, we hold out hope that Spc. Thind will be found. We offer our deepest condolences to the Thind family during this difficult time and are providing resources and support to those affected. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the local, state and federal first responders working tirelessly on the search."

Local officials noted that conditions may improve later in the week and that a renewed water search could resume depending on sea state and safety assessments. They asked the public to avoid Soberanes Point while operations are underway.

Related incident

Just over a week earlier, extreme surf at nearby Garrapata State Park claimed the lives of a father and his 7-year-old daughter after they were swept into the ocean by large waves. Authorities reiterated that ocean waves are unpredictable and deadly, urging visitors to stay well back from the surf and off offshore rocks.

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U.S. Army Specialist Missing After Being Swept Into Ocean at Garrapata State Park - CRBC News