Dad drowns trying to save kids ‘swept out’ to sea on California beach, officials say

When a “sneaker wave” snatched two young children playing close to the water from a Northern California beach Sunday, their father didn’t hesitate, authorities say.

The 40-year-old man jumped into the ocean to try to save his children, ages 4 and 7, off Blind Beach near Jenner, Lt. Michael Raasch of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office told KNTV.

“Apparently he grabbed onto the 4-year-old and was trying to pull him in and apparently got swept out further,” Raasch said, KPIX reported.

Another wave knocked the children’s mother to her knees in the 2 p.m. incident, fire officials told KTVU. She was able to escape the rough surf, but her family was swept out to sea.

His wife and a friend pulled the father from the water and performed CPR on him until rescuers arrived, KGO reported. He died on the beach, and the children were lost at sea.

“When the cavalry got here, we were searching for the kids, we found a pair of shoes that washed up, and a jacket, but no sign of kids,” Raasch told the station. “We looked for hours.”

Authorities identified the father Monday as Michael Wyman, 40, of Petaluma, KRON reported. Earlier reports had listed incorrect ages for Wyman and his oldest child.

A high surf advisory is in effect on the coast until Tuesday, KPIX reported.

“Very rough seas, very active right now,” Raasch said, according to the station. “The waves are very treacherous, even very strong swimmers would have trouble getting out of the water.”

“Please do not go out to the beach to look for the kids. It’s very dangerous and we don’t want to have any more drowning victims,” sheriff’s officials asked on Facebook.

The family had recently moved to Sonoma County from out of state, KGO reported.

This story was originally published January 4, 2021 at 7:45 AM with the headline "Dad drowns trying to save kids ‘swept out’ to sea on California beach, officials say."