Mother and five year old daughter drown at Montara State Beach

A mother and her five year old daughter drowned at Montara State Beach late this afternoon, reports KTVU. Emergency crews responded at 4:20pm.

A San Mateo County Fire spokesman said a five-year-old girl was swept a few hundred yards out in a rip current that runs along the south end of the beach.

The girl’s mother was also overcome by the heavy surf trying to save the child. ...

"We had a total of seven victims on the shore," said Ari Delay of the Half Moon Bay Fire Department. "Five of them were not transported. Two were taken by helicopter to Stanford Medical Center, both with CPR in progress in route to the hospital." ...

"The family at some point was swept out on the south end of Montara State Beach. There’s a rip [current] that goes along the south end," explained Delay. "It’s unknown the exact circumstances. It’s a precarious surf out here. The surf line is very dangerous."

The daughter was found after a 30 minute search by the Harbormaster’s boat.