Man dies after being trapped by debris during high surf in Santa Cruz County
A man has died after a large wave trapped him underneath debris in Central California, according to reports from KSBW and the Associated Press.
California State Parks told KSBW that emergency responders were called to Sunset State Beach around 11:30 a.m. Monday for reports of a man under debris.
The man later died from his injuries, officials said. He was not immediately identified, but officials said he was from Santa Cruz County.
According to the AP, the storm’s high surf also likely pulled a man into the Pacific Ocean around noon Monday at Marina State Beach along the Monterey Bay, authorities said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions worsened. The man remained missing Monday evening.
The reports come on the same day that the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed, sending three people into the ocean. They were on the wharf doing inspections as part of a $4 million repair effort. All three people who fell into the ocean were treated at the Santa Cruz harbor and released without serious injuries, Santa Cruz fire Chief Rob Oatey said.
Meteorologist Heather Waldman says breaking waves as high as 25 feet are possible in the Santa Cruz area through Tuesday morning.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order for Rio Del Mar, Beach Drive and Las Olas area due to the large swells and high tides. Residents in those areas are advised to evacuate immediately. Follow updates on road closures here.
--The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
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