A Calgary family's beach visit turned tragic on Friday when a father and his seven-year-old daughter were swept into the Pacific Ocean by a massive wave at Garrapata State Beach in California. Yuji Hu, 39, entered the water to try to save his daughter after a six-metre wave pulled her in, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. When his wife also tried to reach their daughter, she too was pulled into the water but managed to make it back to shore.

A beach visitor and an off-duty park officer pulled Hu from the ocean and attempted CPR before paramedics arrived. He and his wife were taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries, CityNews reported. His wife was treated for mild hypothermia and listed in stable condition. The couple's two-year-old child, who remained on the beach, was unharmed.

After an extensive search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, California fire service, divers and helicopters, a diver located the girl's body on Sunday roughly 100 metres offshore, CBC News reported. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said the family has expressed gratitude to all those involved in the search and recovery efforts and is requesting privacy during this difficult time.