Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses into Pacific Ocean During Deadly Pre-Holiday Storm

A portion of California's popular Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the ocean during a deadly pre-holiday storm that has claimed the life of at least one person.

Crews responded to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Monday, Dec. 23 after receiving a report that the end of the pier “collapsed into the ocean,” according to a news release posted to Facebook by the Santa Cruz Fire Department (SCFD).

The caller said three construction workers were on the portion that fell into the water when the collapse occurred, fire officials said, noting that lifeguards saved two of the victims, while the third was able to rescue themself. 

There were no serious injuries reported, and everyone who entered the water during the collapse has been accounted for, city officials said at a press conference shortly after the incident occurred.

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Landon Ky, who witnessed the incident, told KSBW that he and a friend heard the pier "cracking" and felt it "swinging a lot" shortly before the collapse. "We kind of waved it off, and then probably within the next five minutes, the whole thing crashed into the water," Ky recalled.

A restaurant and a restroom facility also fell into the ocean as part of the collapse.

The wharf “will be closed until further notice,” fire officials said. Though, the area has been closed to the public since January “due to ongoing construction,” they added.

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Main Beach and Cowell's Beach are also closed due to a high surf advisory “and the large amounts of debris, including potentially hazardous materials released during the incident.” The SCFD said conditions in the area “will remain dangerous through noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24.”

“Due to life-threatening ocean conditions, please avoid all coastal areas, including overlook areas such as rocks, jetties, or cliffs,” the SCFD said. “Dangerous and powerful waves can sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly. Do not enter the water, and do not cross flooded streets.”

Fire officials also encouraged the public to share this information with others “to help ensure everyone's safety.”

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The wharf collapse happened during a storm that brought hurricane-force winds to portions of the West Coast, according to The Associated Press. Per the outlet, the storm has already led to at least one death while another is missing.

On Monday, a man was fatally trapped beneath debris on a beach in Watsonville along the Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said they believe waves pinned him there. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Additionally, the AP reported that another man was "likely pulled" into the water at Marina State Beach as the result of high surf in the area. Authorities were forced to cut their search short "as conditions worsened" on Monday.

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