Incident Overview

Authorities are actively searching for 24-year-old Senah Park, who was reported missing after being swept away by high tides at Panther State Beach in Davenport on Sunday night. Dangerous wave conditions have continued to affect the coastline.

Details of the Search

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office received reports around 8 p.m. of a group of friends being knocked down by a strong wave. While most individuals managed to return to shore, Park did not.

“The hope is that we find her somewhere safe, hopefully stranded on a beach somewhere,” stated Daniel Robbins from the sheriff’s office. The search efforts involve multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, state parks, harbor patrol, the Air Force, and internal search and rescue teams.

Search Operations in Progress

Search operations commenced quickly, with drones, ground teams, and helicopters deployed Sunday night. On Monday, the scope of the search expanded to include boats and additional aerial support to cover a larger area.

Robbins mentioned, “We’ve been getting enough air support as we can, as well as our own fixed-wing plane to canvas the area.” Teams remain focused on locating Park amidst hazardous conditions.

Dangerous Conditions Along Shoreline

Officials have warned that the waves in the vicinity are treacherous, even for those with swimming experience. Robbins explained the risks, saying, “It’s very strong water, strong rip tides, big waves, and lots of rocks along the shoreline that can incapacitate people if they get hit by those waves.”

In light of this, authorities are emphasizing safety, advising beachgoers to select locations with lifeguard services. “We always recommend going to beaches that are maybe a little bit more populated that have lifeguards,” Robbins added.