6-Year-Old Saved After Being Swept Out to Sea at California Beach

A local surf instructor jumped into the water to rescue the girl and her father

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 6-year-old girl named Coco Green was playing in shallow water at Oceanside Harbor in Oceanside, California when a rip tide pulled her out to sea. Her father, Chris Green, tried to rescue her but became exhausted and was unable to swim them both to safety. That's when local surf instructor Lucas Tuab, who was coaching a competition nearby, jumped into the water fully clothed and dragged the father and daughter to safety on the rocks of the jetty.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of rip tides and the importance of water safety, especially for young children playing in the ocean. It also showcases the heroic actions of a stranger who risked his own life to save another in a life-or-death situation.

The details

Coco Green was playing in shallow water when a rip tide pulled her out to sea. Her father, Chris Green, tried to rescue her but became exhausted and was unable to swim them both to safety. Local surf instructor Lucas Tuab, who was coaching a competition nearby, saw the pair struggling in the water and jumped in fully clothed to drag them to safety on the rocks of the jetty.

  • On March 23, 2026, Coco Green was swept out to sea while playing in shallow water at Oceanside Harbor in Oceanside, California.

The players

Coco Green

A 6-year-old girl who was playing in shallow water when a rip tide pulled her out to sea.

Chris Green

Coco Green's father, who tried to rescue her but became exhausted and was unable to swim them both to safety.

Lucas Tuab

A local surf instructor who was coaching a competition nearby and jumped into the water fully clothed to rescue Coco Green and her father.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I told her, you know, don't go by the jetty, just 'cause the current typically sucks you out.”

— Chris Green, Coco Green's father

“Next thing you know, she says she stepped in a hole, and [the tide] just kind of swept her out.”

— Chris Green, Coco Green's father

“There wasn't a second that went through my mind that I wasn't gonna jump in that water. I knew it was a matter of seconds between life or death, and I knew that was my calling right there. God put me on that jetty at that moment to be that person to serve. And be that person … to help, you know?”

— Lucas Tuab, Local surf instructor

“And I don't think all the attention should be on me … I think this should be more all about how humans should really just look out for one another, and that's the moral of the story, I believe.”

— Lucas Tuab, Local surf instructor

What’s next

Lucas Tuab and Chris Green plan to meet up again to share another hug and discuss the importance of water safety.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of rip tides and the importance of being vigilant when children are playing in the ocean. It also highlights the heroic actions of a stranger who risked his own life to save another, demonstrating the power of community and looking out for one another.