Bystanders jump in ocean to save driver after car flies from cliff, CA rescuers say
Bystanders jumped into action to save a driver after a car flew over a cliff into the ocean, California rescuers say.
After seeing the car go over the cliff near the intersection of West Cliff and Swift Street on Monday, Dec. 2, two bystanders jumped in to rescue the driver, who was “floating in the water,” the Santa Cruz Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
Rescuers said they arrived in the area shortly after getting a call about the car going over a cliff at about 11:30 a.m.
The bystanders handed the driver off to the fire department’s rescue swimmers, who brought them to a harbor patrol ship.
Rescuers said they transported the driver to a medical center.
One of the rescue swimmers searched the car in the ocean and confirmed there were no additional passengers, rescuers said.
“Thank you to both bystanders who jumped in to save this victim’s life,” Marine Safety Officer Brendan Daly said in the Facebook post. “Those few seconds were pivotal in the teamwork of this save.”
Facebook users echoed the sentiment, commending the bystanders and rescuers for their efforts and calling it an “epic rescue.”
“Kudos to all of the rescue teams but especially the civilians that stepped up,” one user wrote.
Another user said they watched the rescue unfold.
“I’m so amazed by all agencies coming together so quickly,” the user wrote.
