A 6-Year-Old Was Swept Out to Sea While Playing — A Hero Surfer’s Split-Second Move Changed Everything

A normal day on a California beach quickly turned into a near-fatal moment for a 6-year-old girl when she was suddenly pulled out to sea by a strong current. While her father tried to save her, it was ultimately a local surfer who pulled the father-daughter duo out in time.

According to reports, Coco Green, the 6-year-old child, was playing in shallow waters near Oceanside Harbor in Oceanside, when the sea current suddenly changed in seconds. Her father Chris Green said that Coco suddenly stepped into a hole, and a powerful rip current quickly dragged her away.

Speaking to Fox 5 San Diego, Coco’s father opened up about how he had warned his 6-year-old daughter moments earlier to stay away from the jetty. That's where the currents are known to be strong.

“I told her, you know, don't go by the jetty, just 'cause the current typically sucks you out," Chris shared. “Next thing you know, she says she stepped in a hole, and [the tide] just kind of swept her out,” he added.

Before he could react, Chris recalled how Coco was already being pulled further into the water. Meanwhile, in an attempt to save her, Chris jumped in and swam as fast as he could, trying to reach her before it was too late.

“I just took off and swam out there, as fast as I could,” Chris stated. However, while he managed to get to Coco on time, he recalled how by then, he was completely exhausted. He revealed that he did not have the strength to pull them to safety.

Lucas Tuab, a local surf instructor who was coaching at a competition nearby, came out to help. Tuab noticed Coco and her father struggling in the water, and jumped into the ocean, still fully clothed, swimming straight toward them.

The video of him saving the father-daughter duo has now gone viral on social media. In the video, Tuab can be seen approaching Chris and Coco and ultimately dragging them to safety on the rocks of the jetty.

“There wasn't a second that went through my mind that I wasn't gonna jump in that water,” Tuab stated. “I knew it was a matter of seconds between life or death, and I knew that was my calling right there,” he added.

“God put me on that jetty at that moment to be that person to serve. And be that person… to help, you know?” Tuab shared. “And I don't think all the attention should be on me… I think this should be more about how humans should really just look out for one another, and that's the moral of the story, I believe,” he said.

Meanwhile for Chris, the moment was overwhelming. He told media outlets that he met Tuab the next day and shared a hug. “I don't know what would have happened if he [Lucas] didn't jump in,” Chris noted, adding, “But I’m very thankful that he did.”