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3 fall into ocean after Santa Cruz Wharf collapses
Two people were rescued, and a third swam to safety after the Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Two people were rescued, and a third swam to safety after a portion of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed and was seen floating away Monday.
The collapse occurred as the area was slammed by heavy surf from a major storm expected to bring hurricane-force winds to the seas off the Pacific Northwest.
Rob Oatey of the Santa Cruz Fire Department said two people were pulled from the water, and a third person was able to swim to safety. There were no major injuries.
Oatey said the initial call came at around 12:45 p.m. reporting that a portion of the wharf had collapsed, and several people were in the water.
KTVU cameras captured restrooms from the end of the wharf floating about a half-mile to the end of the main beach.
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Person seen floating on debris from Santa Cruz Wharf collapse
Viewer video shows a person floating on debris from the Santa Cruz Wharf after it collapsed on Monday. The video is courtesy of Marini’s Candies.
The National Weather Service noted the "ominous wave action" in the Pacific and warned the public to stay away from the ocean, as rescue crews were being called out to save people who had entered the water despite high surf advisories.
"You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water," the NWS said on the social platform X.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said the section of the wharf that collapsed had been damaged over time. The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter.
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Santa Cruz Pier partially collapses
Two people were rescued when the Santa Cruz Pier partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday.
In February, the Santa Cruz Wharf was badly damaged after severe pounding on the structure, which led to the failure of several bents that support the wharf.
Authorities said one of the people who fell into the water was a Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department project manager who had been working on the wharf construction project. He had been out that day monitoring conditions.
The other two who fell in were contractors hired by the Parks and Recreation Department to work on the wharf project.
The high surf warning for Pacific Coast beaches, including those in Santa Cruz, is in effect through Tuesday at noon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.