1 Dead, 1 Missing As Northern California Coastline Hit By Big Waves

One person died on a beach in Santa Cruz County and another was missing in Monterey County Monday after large waves hit the Northern California coastline amid a high surf warning.

Santa Cruz County officials said California State Parks and fire crews went to Sunset State Beach around 11:30 a.m. for a report of a man trapped under debris.

Debris washed up by a large wave had trapped the man, the county said. He was rescued and taken to hospital, where he later died.

Death is coming after the National Weather Service issued a high surf warning which will remain in effect until noon Tuesday for San Francisco, the North Bay Coast, including Point Reyes National Seashore, the Peninsula Coast, Monterey Bay and the Big Sur Coast. Breaking waves of 30 to 35 feet are expected along the coast.

Large waves also hit the Santa Cruz wharf around 12.45, causing part of the dock to collapse and send three people into the water.

Lifeguards were able to pull two of the three construction workers out of the water, while the third got out of the surf on his own.

At Marina State Beach, about 30 minutes south of Sunset State Beach, a man went missing around noon after being pulled into the water by a high surf. Marina police said people in the area tried to help, but extremely large waves and strong currents thwarted their rescue efforts.

Rescuers went to where the man had entered the water, near Dunes Drive, but were unable to get “visual confirmation” of him. A search was launched involving the US Coast Guard and the California Highway Patrol’s Air Unit, but their efforts were futile.

Marina police said the search was called off at 2pm as conditions worsened and made it dangerous for crews.

The man’s identity was not released by police.

In North Bay, the Sonoma County Fire District said three people were rescued after being overtaken by a wave. The fire district said they were swept off the edge of Scotty’s Creek around 12.30 p.m

One of them was found clinging to rocks. The other two were rescued after being carried upstream by a wave. Fire officials said two were taken to the hospital and one was released at the scene.