A dramatic collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf on Monday sent three individuals into the ocean, prompting a swift rescue effort by lifeguards and first responders.

The incident, captured on video by witnesses, highlights the perilous conditions created by intense waves battering the California coast.

The collapse occurred when a 150-foot section of the wharf gave way.

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Viewer footage showed a man wearing a hard hat stranded atop floating debris, frantically waving for help.

A lifeguard on a jet ski eventually rescued him, while two other men were also seen on remnants of the destroyed wharf.

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Jenni Marin, owner of Marini’s Candies near the wharf, recorded the rescue efforts. Reflecting on the shocking event, Marin said, “You just don’t expect anything like that to happen.”

Three teenagers fishing nearby witnessed the collapse and described the moments leading up to it. Landon Ky, 15, recalled, “We noticed that the pier was swaying a lot, and we heard a lot of cracking. But we didn’t think much of it. Then all of a sudden, it all fell into the water. There were construction workers on it. And it sounded like thunder.”

The teens fled the scene but returned to find three men stranded on a partially submerged platform.

Another teen, Bryson Wong, also 15, said, “Pretty scary. Because we thought the pier was cracking underneath us as we were running. So we just thought we were in a movie, running away from the cracks and stuff.”

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During an afternoon press conference, Santa Cruz city officials provided details about the incident.

A city project manager and two contract engineers were inspecting the wharf at its far end as part of a $4 million renovation project.

The wharf had sustained damage over the years from previous storms.

Tony Elliot, of the Santa Cruz Department of Parks and Recreation, stated, “Our staff, our contractors had no sense or indication that the wharf was going to give way. Again, they were out there doing inspections as part of our preparations to make sure that the wharf was safe.”

Santa Cruz Fire Chief Rob Oatey explained that his department had pre-positioned personnel due to the forecast of large swells.

“We were proactively in the water patrolling the coastline with PWCs, and we also had lifeguards patrolling the cliffs,” Oatey said.

First responders rescued two victims from the water, while the third individual managed to escape independently.

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Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker emphasized the unpredictable nature of the situation, saying, “This is another example of how talking with our weather experts, Mother Nature can surprise us.”

The Santa Cruz Wharf is now closed indefinitely following the collapse.

Late Monday, officials issued a public safety alert advising residents to avoid the water at all coastal beaches.

Mayor Fred Keeley warned of worsening conditions: “We are anticipating that what is coming next is worse than what came this morning. This is going to be high tide at a time when we have king tides in the Pacific Ocean.”

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Beaches at Santa Cruz Main Beach and Cowell’s Beach have been closed, along with Seabright Beach.

Capitola is also preparing for potential flooding through Monday night and into Tuesday.

As recovery efforts continue, officials remain on high alert, with forecasts predicting further challenges from the powerful Pacific tides.