Violent storm-fueled waves that collapsed a portion of the Santa Cruz Pier are also blamed for the death of a man who was found trapped under debris on a stretch of Monterey Bay coast, as well as the disappearance of another man
Emergency crews were called to Sunset State Beach at 11:30 a.m. Monday to help a man who was reported trapped under debris amid high surf. The man was freed and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. His identity is being withheld until his family is notified.
Meanwhile, about 15 miles further down the coast, dangerous conditions forced authorities to suspend the search for a man who was swept into the ocean at Marina State Beach around noon, according to the Marina Police Department. The two incidents are not believed to be related, a sheriff's office spokesman said.
Passersby at Marina State Beach reported that a man was swept away by strong waves and swept out to sea, police said. They were unable to help him due to the huge waves and strong current.
Lifeguards did not see the missing man when they arrived at the beach. They began their search about 300 yards north of Dunes Drive, where the man entered the ocean.
The U.S. Coast Guard and California Highway Patrol searched by air and sea, but were also unable to find the man. At 2:00 p.m., the search was deemed too dangerous to continue due to worsening weather conditions. Police did not release the identity of the missing man.
On Monday, the National Weather Service issued a high surf warning for the northern California coast, including Santa Cruz, Point Reyes, San Francisco and northern Monterey Bay, and urged people to stay off beaches due to to life-threatening conditions until 6 pm Tuesday.
“Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, sweeping people into the sea from rocks, piers and beaches,” the weather service said. “Sudden immersion in cold water can cause cold water shock even for the most experienced swimmers.”
High surf also caused more than 100 feet of the Santa Cruz pier to collapse Monday afternoon, throwing a city employee and two contractors into the cold ocean, city officials said during a news conference.
Two of them were rescued by lifeguards in the area and the third was able to get to safety on his own. Workers were sent to the pier to assess its stability, city officials said.
The powerful surge is the result of a series of atmospheric river events that are bringing heavy rain to northern California, Oregon and Washington state.
Times staff writer Salvador Hernández contributed to this report.
