Vehicle Hurls Off Cliff Into Ocean, Bystanders Save Victim: FD

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Two bystanders jumped into the ocean in Santa Cruz after a car went over a cliff Monday, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

At around 11:21 a.m. Monday, a car crashed with another vehicle at West Cliff Drive and Swift Street and plunged into the water, according to an SCFD incident report. Two bystanders jumped in to save a victim floating in the water. They stayed with the victim until numerous rescue swimmers arrived and used a rescue board to help her onto a Harbor Patrol Vessel.

Once on land, crews provided first aid, then the victim was transported by air ambulance to a trauma center.

"Thank you to both bystanders who jumped in to save this victim's life. Those few seconds were pivotal in the teamwork of this save," SCFD Marine Safety Officer Brendan Daly said in a statement.

Daly confirmed in his statement that one of the fire rescue swimmers cleared the car in the ocean and confirmed that no additional victims were involved.

The Santa Cruz Police Department, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, and American Medical Response helped in the effort, according to the fire department.