The body of a 26-year-old woman was discovered in northwestern Washington state following a harrowing incident where she was swept away by strong ocean currents.
The United States Coast Guard received an emergency call at around 10:50 a.m. when reports came in that the woman had been pulled out to sea at Rialto Beach. This picturesque location is situated approximately 60 kilometers from the U.S. border with Vancouver Island.
In response, the United States Coast Guard promptly launched a rescue operation. Two coast guard helicopters, one from Port Angeles and another from Astoria, Washington, were deployed, accompanied by a ground search team, local law enforcement, and a search and rescue team from Olympic National Park.
The woman was last seen wearing a pink sweater and black pants as she entered the water.
Over the course of five hours, the two helicopters conducted an extensive search, covering a 132-square-kilometer area, desperately hoping to locate the missing woman.
Tragically, the search concluded when Washington state park rangers discovered a woman’s body that matched the description of the missing individual at approximately 5 p.m. The identity of the woman has not yet been disclosed.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature and the importance of adhering to safety precautions when enjoying the beauty of coastal areas.