By Khalida Sarwari
A 63-year-old British woman drowned after she was swept out into the ocean off Carmel River State Beach Monday afternoon, the Monterey County coroner’s office said.
The woman, identified as Ann Hauffe of West Sussex, England, and a friend were walking along the beach when a strong rip tide pulled the two women into the water at about 3:15 p.m.
A rescue crew responded and, using a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, located Hauffe an hour and a half later.
Efforts to revive her were not successful, and she was pronounced dead at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
Rescuers found Hauffe’s friend in good condition. She was transported to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey for evaluation.
Cal Fire crews, state parks lifeguards, Monterey County sheriff’s deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted.