Man dies after his car plunges nearly 500 feet off a California cliff onto a beach
The black 2017 Honda Pilot veered off the west roadway edge of Highway 1 and went over the cliff
A 58-year-old man has died after his car plummeted almost 500 feet off a cliff before landing on a beach in Santa Cruz, California.
The crash
The California Highway Patrol announced on Monday, that officers responded to a crash on SR-1 north of Scott Creek at approximately 12:48 p.m. local time.
Officials said a man from Santa Rosa had been driving a black 2017 Honda Pilot southbound at an unknown speed when the vehicle veered off "the west roadway edge, struck a call box, continued in a southwesterly direction through vegetation, and went over the cliff."
According to a Facebook post from the CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, the cliff was approximately 400 to 500 feet south of Greyhound Rock Beach in Santa Cruz County, off Highway 1.
The rescue attempt
"Two Santa Cruz City Lifeguards swam from Greyhound State Beach down to the pocket beach where the vehicle was located, found one patient, and administered CPR," the post read.
A CAL FIRE SCU Alma Helitack Copter then lowered a hoist basket to the beach and lifted the patient to an awaiting ambulance on the highway.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP confirmed. He has not been publicly identified. Information regarding the deceased is available through the Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.
Cause of the crash unclear
Authorities said it remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played any role in the incident. CHP Santa Cruz Area commander Captain Boles issued a statement urging motorists to "drive at a safe speed for current conditions, never drive distracted, always wear a seatbelt, and never drive impaired," adding: "We extend our deepest condolences to the driver's family and friends."