A 5-year-old girl from San Bernardino who was swept into the ocean by a huge wave in Laguna Beach earlier this week had been preparing to start kindergarten later this summer, according to school officials.
Amada Mia Brown, who died after becoming trapped in the dangerous surf pounding California’s coastline Tuesday night, was expected to begin classes in August in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, district Communications Manager Maria Garcia told The California Post.
“We mourn Amada’s loss and hold her family in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Garcia said.
Garcia also said Amada had been scheduled to attend a new student orientation next month.
The child disappeared Tuesday evening when strong waves dragged her, her mother and her brother into the water near the shore at Treasure Island Beach.
People nearby rushed into the turbulent surf and were able to save Amada’s mother and brother, but Amada was swept farther out to sea.
Two of those who helped with the rescue were transported to a local hospital in stable condition with unspecified injuries.
After Amada disappeared, the US Coast Guard and multiple partner agencies launched a massive search spanning more than 30 hours and 90 square miles.
Video obtained by The California Post showed the frantic search for the young girl Tuesday night as officials used high-powered flashlights from the shore and cliffside.
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The search was suspended Wednesday after authorities concluded further efforts were unlikely to succeed.
But on Thursday morning, a Laguna Beach Police Department aerial search located Amada’s body about 250 to 300 yards offshore and roughly a quarter-mile north of where she was swept away.
Amada’s father, Aaron Brown, paid tribute to his daughter during a vigil following the discovery.
He described her as a cheerful child who embraced life and loved being near the water.
“She liked ‘Moana,’ she liked ‘Frozen.’ She was my little princess,” he told ABC 7.
A online fundraiser posted to help Amada’s family had raised more than $12,000 by Friday afternoon.
The same powerful storm swells that took Amada’s life claimed another victim in Santa Cruz County on Wednesday, officials there said.
One person was confirmed killed and another remained in critical condition Friday afternoon after being swept into the ocean at Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz, a spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff confirmed.
