OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The body of Seattle resident Swetha Chirumamilla, who was swept out to sea at Rialto Beach on Monday, has been recovered.
The body of the 26-year-old was recovered at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, the park said in a press release.
The body had been kept in a secure location until improved weather conditions allowed its evacuation by the Olympic National Park search and rescue team, Molly Pittman, an Olympic National Park spokesperson, said Tuesday.
Chirumamilla was hiking along Rialto Beach with two friends when a wave overpowered the group and Chirumamilla disappeared from sight, according to a report received at 10:51 a.m. Monday.
Park rangers responded to the distress call along with the Coast Guard, La Push Tribal Police Department, Quileute Fish and Wildlife, Forks Emergency Services and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
The Coast Guard searched the area with two helicopters for five hours until a body matching the description of the missing woman was located by rangers on land.
“Extremely dangerous weather conditions prevented the completion of the recovery operation until this evening,” the park said in the release.
Olympic National Park had closed Rialto Beach due to severe weather conditions.
The incident is under investigation by the National Park Service.
