NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Two California college students have died after being swept into the Pacific Ocean by high waves and strong surf while sleeping near a popular but dangerous beach, according to authorities.
The victims have been identified as Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, both of Fremont, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office told reporters.
Authorities said the two friends were believed to have been sleeping near the “Keyhole,” a natural access road to Yellow Bank Beach, on Wednesday afternoon when the incoming water caught them off guard and pulled them into the water.
“Both of these patients, we believe, were initially sleeping right in the Keyhole, which is an area that we find catches people unawares,” Santa Cruz County Volunteer Fire Captain Kyle Breton said in a CAL FIRE video after the water rescue. “The waves come in, and this time, they sweep away the two sleeping patients.”
RIP CURRENT BEACH RESCUES SHOWS BROADCASTS FACE DEADLY DANGERS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STAY SAFE
Officials said CAL FIRE SCU Alma Helitack Copter 614 brought one patient from the beach to the bluffs. (Facebook/CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)
Emergency personnel rushed to a remote area on the beach after a witness called 911. About 8 swimmers entered the west end as part of a multi-agency rescue effort involving CAL FIRE, state rescuers and local fire departments, officials said.
One woman was pulled ashore at Panther Beach, where lifeguards immediately began lifesaving efforts. The second was located farther from shore and was airlifted by CAL FIRE helicopter from Yellow Bank while CPR was in progress, according to first responders.
About eight swimmers entered the surf as part of a multi-agency rescue effort involving CAL FIRE, state rescue and local fire departments, officials said. (Facebook/CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)
Both women were taken to hospitals, but they were later pronounced dead, KSBW reported.
PASSENGERS ONLY CUT THE WAY OUT
Nair was a law major at the University of California, Berkeley, while Sran studied public life at San José State University. Both women graduated from Fremont’s Washington High School in 2023 and were expected to graduate in 2027, according to the New York Post.
“I don’t know what happened,” Nair’s father, Ahock Nair, told the Post. “I’m still scared.”
Members of the agencies involved in water rescue were seen meeting afterwards for a post-action review. (Facebook/CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)
The tragedy occurred along the Santa Cruz County’s extremely dangerous coastline known for its surf, strong currents and so-called “tacky waves” that can sweep across the waterway with little warning.
Officials said Wednesday’s rescue was the fifth water rescue in the past month in the one kilometer stretch between Yellow Bank Beach and Bonny Doon Beach.
Authorities said law enforcement and firefighters have responded to an increase in the number of water rescues over the past few weeks. (Facebook/Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
The deaths came again as strong surf and dangerous sea conditions battered the California coast. Forecasters had warned of strong storms and high tides caused by prolonged flooding in the south, conditions officials said contributed to increased water rescues across the province.
