Two Bay Area college students who died after they were swept into the ocean along a rugged stretch of Santa Cruz County coastline were identified June 16, highlighting growing concerns about dangerous California surf conditions and hidden hazards at remote beaches.
Authorities identified the victims as Harshita Nair, 21, a UC Berkeley student, and Mahial Sran, 20, a San José State University student — both from Fremont and graduates of Washington High School.
The pair were pulled from the water June 10 after a large rescue response near Panther Beach and Yellow Bank Beach, but both later died from their injuries, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescue crews said the incident happened quickly as tides rose along a stretch of coastline already flagged for hazardous ocean conditions.
What happened at Yellow Bank Beach and the ‘keyhole’ access point
Emergency responders were called just after 5 p.m. to reports of people in the water near Bonny Doon Beach, north of Santa Cruz.
By the time crews arrived, two people were already in distress. About eight rescue swimmers entered the water and located both victims — one brought to shore at Panther Beach and the other at nearby Yellow Bank Beach before being transported to hospitals.
Authorities believe the women were near or passing through a narrow rock opening known locally as the “keyhole,” which connects Panther Beach to Yellow Bank Beach.
That formation is a well-known hazard.
“The tides come in, and in this case, they swept out two patients,” Santa Cruz County fire officials told KTLA TV
Officials said the tide likely rose quickly, cutting off access and leaving the women exposed to strong surf and currents — a scenario rescuers say is increasingly common along that stretch of coast.
Why Yellow Bank Beach is dangerous: rising tides, sneaker waves and no easy escape
Yellow Bank Beach is considered one of the more dangerous and isolated beaches along the Santa Cruz County coast — not because of crowds, but because of geography.
Here’s what makes it risky:
Officials say the layout creates a deceptive sense of safety.
“You might come down and see calm conditions, then suddenly get a train of large waves,” lifeguards warned during recent rescues.
A troubling pattern: multiple rescues and deaths along the Santa Cruz coast
The tragedy is part of a recent spike in dangerous water incidents along the Santa Cruz coastline.
Officials say a combination of large south swells, warmer weather, and increased beach traffic has contributed to the rise in emergencies.
The National Weather Service has also issued repeated beach hazard statements warning of elevated surf, sneaker waves and unpredictable conditions along the California coast.
What beachgoers should know before visiting Santa Cruz beaches
Authorities are urging caution, especially at remote or unguarded beaches like Yellow Bank and Panther.
Safety tips:
Even experienced swimmers can get caught off guard.
“The ocean is unpredictable… you just have to be very careful,” one lifeguard told KSBW TV.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: UC Berkeley, SJSU students die in Santa Cruz surf
Reporting by James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
