Car plunges off Santa Cruz cliff

A driver died after a car went off a cliff near Davenport in Santa Cruz County on Monday, according to local television reports and emergency officials. The crash happened near Greyhound Rock State Beach off Highway 1, where the vehicle fell an estimated 400 to 500 feet onto the beach below. Early reports from CAL FIRE said one person had been rescued in critical condition. KSBW later reported that the driver died after the plunge. ### Where did the car go over the cliff? The California Highway Patrol received the initial report at about 12:48 p.m. or 1:31 p.m. Monday, according to local reports citing CHP and CAL FIRE. The vehicle went over the cliff just south of Greyhound Rock State Beach, in the Davenport area of northern Santa Cruz County. (ktvu.com) KTVU reported the car was seen crushed in shallow water 400 to 500 feet below the roadway. KRON4 also reported the crash occurred between Davenport and Año Nuevo State Park along Highway 1. ### How did rescuers reach the driver? CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Cameron McFadden told KSBW that the initial call was for a single vehicle reported over the bank. (cbsnews.com) McFadden said there was no easy route down for first responders, who staged near Greyhound Rock County Park while lifeguards ran and swam nearly a mile to reach the driver. (ktvu.com) KTVU reported that two lifeguards swam to the victim during the rescue. CBS News Bay Area said the person was rescued by helicopter after the vehicle went over the cliff. ### Was the driver alive when crews first arrived? CAL FIRE said Monday afternoon that one person was in the vehicle and was in critical condition. (ksbw.com) That account appeared in KTVU, CBS News Bay Area and other local reports published earlier in the day. KSBW later reported that the driver died after the vehicle veered off the road and landed on the beach below, where heavy surf was hitting the wreck. (ktvu.com) KSBW described the victim as one man driving alone. ### How far did the vehicle fall? Emergency officials and local outlets put the drop at roughly 400 to 500 feet. (ktvu.com) KSBW reported the car plunged more than 400 feet, while KTVU and KRON4 cited estimates closer to 500 feet. The vehicle came to rest on the beach below the cliff, according to KSBW and KTVU. (ksbw.com) KSBW said the surf was pounding the wreck after the fall. ### What have authorities said about the cause? The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, according to CBS News Bay Area and KTVU. (ktvu.com) The reports available Tuesday did not identify the driver or say what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. Monday’s response involved CAL FIRE and lifeguards near Greyhound Rock, and the case remained under investigation in reports published later that evening. KSBW’s latest report said authorities had recovered the vehicle and were continuing to examine the crash. (ksbw.com) (ktvu.com)