Sheriff identifies fisherman who drowned off Big Sur coast
Officials have released additional details about the man who drowned Saturday morning after he was swept off the rocks along the Big Sur coastline.
Derrel Simpson, spokesman for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed Tuesday morning that Zhi Neng Huang, 49, of San Francisco had been fishing when he apparently bent down to bait his hook and lost his footing after a rogue wave hit him. He was unable to swim back to shore and drowned in the cold ocean waters.
That eyewitness report came from a friend who had been fishing with Huang, Simpson said, but said the rough waves and rugged terrain made it impossible for him to save his friend.
“It appeared he (Huang) was distracted when the waves separated him from the rocks,” Simpson said, adding that he didn’t know how often Huang fished in that area.
People who recreate regularly in the Jade Cove area know how dangerous the waves and the territory can be, the sheriff’s commander said, but “visitors don’t understand how powerful that water is. Once it hits that rock, you’re not going to be able to keep from going into the water.”
Sheriff’s Deputy Jesse Villasenor said Saturday that the fishermen had been in the area for several hours, despite the dank, rainy weather.
After a state park ranger/lifeguard was called to the remote location at Sand Dollar Beach near Jade Cove, he swam out to the fisherman and determined that the man had died.
About two hours after the initial 911 call was made near noon, a Coast Guard helicopter arrived from San Francisco and airlifted the man’s body to shore. A CHP helicopter based in Paso Robles was grounded due to inclement weather.
Villasenor said various agencies, including State Parks, U.S. Forest Service, Big Sur Fire, the Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard responded. The Monterey County Coroner’s Office is now handling the investigation.
