Crime & Safety

Log Pins Young Girl at Live Oak Beach

The five-year-old victim was taken to Dominican Hospital and then Stanford for further medical attention.

Update 10:30 a.m., Friday: Sheriff's Office deputy April Skalland has told Capitola-Soquel Patch that the victim of Thursday's beach accident died after being flown to Stanford on Thursday. For more in the tragic event, . 

Original Report: One beach-going family was reminded of the strength of the ocean Thursday when a five-year-old girl was trapped under a log in the surf at the beach at 24th Avenue in Live Oak.

At 11:46 a.m., the girl was playing at the ocean's edge when a 15-foot-long, one-foot-wide log washed up and pinned her to the ground, Central Fire Spokesman Mike DeMars told Capitola-Soquel Patch.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The ocean was heavy with debris from recent storms, DeMars said, which is what produced the log.

By the time emergency personnel arrived at the beach, the girl had been dislodged, but was still unconscious.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The girl was taken to Dominican Hospital, where she was stabilized and then flown by helicopter to Stanford.

Although she did not regain consciousness before leaving Dominican, DeMars said she regained a normal pulse and vital signs.

For tips from California State Parks on staying safe around the ocean, click here.

Want Patch in your inbox every morning? Click here to sign up for our free newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.