A man helping a pastor perform a baptism in the Pacific Ocean was swept out to sea by a rogue wave on Sunday and has not been found.
Pastor Maurigro Cervantes of Jesus Christ Light of the Sky Church,
told KCOY-TV that his cousin, Benito Flores, 43, was helping with the baptism when a wave grabbed him.
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“A big wave came and took Benito. I tried to take him out, he was heavy and then another big wave came,” Cervantes told KCOY.
Two other people were also pulled away from shore by the waves, but they were able to swim back to safety.
The baptism was being performed on the coast in Santa Barbara County.
KCOY reported that the Coast Guard continues to search for the man, although the Santa Barbara Fire Department had suspended its search.
Cervantes told the Santa Maria Times that he performs the baptismal service at that location two or three times a year. He said about 25 people attended Sunday’s service.
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