Race against time to rescue group trapped in California cave with rising water

A frantic coastal rescue mission unfolded after rising tides trapped a group of beachgoers inside a cave in Santa Cruz on Sunday night.

A member of a large group trapped in a cave near Davenport texted 911 for help shortly before 8 p.m. as water rose, according to CAL FIRE CZU. Officials added that many of those trapped were unable to swim.

Cal Fire, Santa Cruz County Fire, U.S. Coast Guard, Santa Cruz City Fire along with a lifeguard, the Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol, and California State Parks lifeguards rushed to the scene of the serious accident.

Rescuers found that the cave had only two treacherous escape routes, either through the water to a beach accessible by a cliff, or via a small pocket beach where the path to the cliffs was steep.

Five of the trapped people who could swim emerged from the cave with the help of rescuers.

The remaining three stranded on the beach, who could not swim, were lifted by the Coast Guard to a nearby cliff.

Among those rescued was a pregnant woman who suffered unknown injuries KSBW.

The dramatic rescue operation prompted officials to warn coastal visitors of the dangers of changing tides.

“Always check local tidal maps before heading out, as rising water levels can quickly trap you in coastal cliffs with no escape route,” CAL FIRE CZU said in a safety message.

“If you are stranded by high tide, move to the highest safe point and call 911 immediately – do not attempt to climb unstable cliffs or swim through heavy surf.”

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