Two college students in California died after being swept into the Pacific Ocean by rising tides and powerful surf while apparently napping near a popular but perilous beach access point, according to authorities.The victims were identified as Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, both of Fremont, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office told local news outlets.Authorities said the two friends were believed to have been sleeping near the "Keyhole," a natural archway used to access Yellow Bank Beach, on Wednesday afternoon when incoming tides caught them off guard and pulled them into the water."Both of these patients, we believe, were originally sleeping right at the Keyhole, which is an area that we're finding catches people unaware," Santa Cruz County Volunteer Fire Capt.Kyle Breton said in a CAL FIRE video after the water rescue.
"The tides come in, and in this case, they swept out two sleeping patients."RIP CURRENT BEACH RESCUES SHOW SWIMMERS FACE DEADLY RISKS: WHAT TO KNOW TO STAY SAFEOfficials said the CAL FIRE SCU Alma Helitack Copter 614 brought one patient from the beach to the bluffs.(Facebook/CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)Emergency crews rushed to the remote stretch of coastline after a witness called 911.
About eight rescue swimmers entered the rough surf as part of a multi-agency rescue effort involving CAL FIRE, state lifeguards and local fire departments, officials said.One woman was pulled ashore at Panther Beach, where rescuers immediately began life-saving efforts.The second was located farther down the shoreline and airlifted from Yellow Bank Beach by a CAL FIRE helicopter while CPR was underway, according to first responders.About eight rescue swimmers entered the rough surf as part of a multi-agency rescue effort involving CAL FIRE, state lifeguards and local fire departments, officials said.
(Facebook/CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)Both women were rushed to hospitals but were later pronounced dead, KSBW reported.HIKERS...