Quick Take
Two people were killed after a wave swept them out to sea near West Cliff Drive on Tuesday evening. Emergency personnel reminded people to be aware of tidal conditions at all times, and to watch for unpredictable “sneaker waves.”
The City of Santa Cruz Fire Department announced the deaths of two people who were swept out to sea near West Cliff Drive on Tuesday evening.
According to a SCFD incident report, the department responded to an emergency call for a water rescue at West Cliff Drive near David Way between Almar Avenue and Woodrow Avenue. SCFD came to the scene along with lifeguards, harbor patrol, California State Parks personnel, two ambulances and Santa Cruz police officers.
When the responders arrived at the scene, they saw two people floating face down in the ocean. It is believed that they were swept off the rocks by a wave.
Two rescue swimmers from SCFD and two Santa Cruz City lifeguards entered the ocean, reached both victims and swam them to the harbor patrol boat waiting in the water nearby.
The victims were assisted onto the boat, where emergency personnel administered life-support measures as the craft made its way back to the Santa Cruz Harbor. More medical personnel were at the harbor to continue lifesaving measures once the boat arrived, but both victims died. They were never resuscitated.
SCFD and the other responding agencies extended a reminder to never turn your back on the ocean, and to be aware of “sneaker waves,” which are large waves that appear unexpectedly following periods of calm waters. They typically occur within 10 or 20 minutes of each other and have the potential to sweep swimmers, beachgoers and others out into hazardous waters.
The names of the victims have not been released.
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