8 rescued from Santa Cruz Co. cave after being trapped by rising tides

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Eleven people were trapped in a cave along the Santa Cruz coastline near Davenport on Sunday evening after rising tides cut off their exit, according to CAL FIRE and other responding agencies.

Just before 8 p.m., a person texted 911 reporting that the group was stuck and that the water was rising. Several of those trapped did not know how to swim, authorities said.

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Responders from CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire, the Coast Guard, Santa Cruz City with one lifeguard, Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol, and California State Parks lifeguards arrived at Panther State Beach. The cave had two possible exits: one through the water to a beach with access to the bluffs, and another onto a pocket beach where the trail was too steep to climb.

Five people who were able to swim waded out of the cave with assistance from lifeguards. Three others who could not swim were hoisted by the Coast Guard to a nearby bluff. The remaining individuals escaped on their own.

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Officials issued a safety reminder urging visitors to check tide charts before heading to the coast. Rising water can quickly trap people against cliffs with no safe escape route. Anyone stranded by high tide should move to the highest safe point and call 911 rather than attempting to climb unstable cliffs or swim through heavy surf.