Four people who jumped off Sunset Cliffs into the Pacific were hauled to safety after powerful waves swept them into high surf and pinned them against the rocks, according to San Diego lifeguards. Crews used cliff-rescue gear to pull three of them off narrow rocky ledges, while a fourth was picked up by a lifeguard watercraft and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. The ordeal unfolded yesterday amid elevated swell along San Diego's coastline.
How the rescue unfolded
According to FOX 5 San Diego, lifeguards said the group became stranded after jumping from the cliffs, with three rescued by cliff-rescue crews and the fourth recovered by a rescue craft for medical checks. At the time, the National Weather Service had a High Surf Advisory in effect for San Diego coastal areas, warning of 5 to 8-foot breaking waves with sets up to 10 feet and a high rip-current risk. Officials caution that those conditions can quickly slam swimmers against rocks and make it nearly impossible to get out on their own.
A familiar danger
Earlier in the week, lifeguards also responded to two men who ran into trouble after jumping from a natural arch at Sunset Cliffs. Both were later identified as players with the San Diego Seals and were uninjured, as reported by ABC 10News. The City of San Diego lifeguards say they respond to roughly fifty coastal cliff rescues every year, a steady reminder that Sunset Cliffs remains risky terrain even for seasoned locals and repeat visitors.
Rules and safety reminders
Local reporting and city ordinances prohibit jumping into the Pacific or Mission Bay from more than five feet above the water, and violations can result in fines, a restriction detailed by the Los Angeles Times. Lifeguards and the National Weather Service continue to urge people to stay off rocks and out of the surf during high-swell events, warning that powerful currents and sneaker waves can turn a quick jump or coastal stroll into an emergency.
City officials advise anyone who spots a person in distress on the cliffs or in the water to call 911 and alert local lifeguards. Visitors are also urged to obey posted signs, keep a safe distance from the edge of the bluffs, and respect any temporary closures while the high surf sticks around.
