Two die after being swept off rocks in Santa Cruz

Two people died after they were swept into the ocean by a “sneaker wave” in Santa Cruz this week, according to authorities.

Multiple witnesses reported that two people were swept off the beach rocks at West Cliff Drive near David Way about 6:18 p.m. on Tuesday, the Santa Cruz Fire Department said in a news release. The two were found floating face-down in the ocean by the time emergency responders arrived.

Rescue swimmers from Santa Cruz Fire and the Santa Cruz City Lifeguard were able to reach the two people in the water and transfer them to a Harbor Patrol Rescue boat, authorities said.

Medical crew members aboard the boat performed CPR on the victims as the boat made its way back to the harbor, but they could not be resuscitated, authorities said.

It’s unclear how long the two were in the water and the official cause of death has not been disclosed. Santa Cruz Fire Chief Rob Oatey said the victims were a man and a woman in their 20s. The area where they were swept off the rocks varies in height from the water depending on the tide, but can range from 5 feet to 15 feet, Oatey said.

Emergency officials refer to the area as “death rocks” because of the regularity of people being seriously injured or dying after being swept off by waves. Oatey said there were warning signs in place that discourage people from getting near the rocks.

The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, Oatey said.

Emergency officials urged people never to turn their back on the ocean and to always be aware of tidal conditions.

Southerly swells and rising tides can produce “sneaker waves” — potentially deadly waves that surge farther up the beach than expected — that can sweep beachgoers into the ocean, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.