Search Suspended for Missing Swimmer After Cliff Jump in Santa Cruz

A UC Santa Cruz undergraduate student is missing after jumping off a cliff at West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz with another swimmer on Sunday afternoon. Multiple agencies, including local fire and police departments, lifeguards, State Parks personnel, and the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the incident and searched for the missing swimmer using specialized search patterns, dive teams, and drones. Despite extensive efforts, the shore-based search was concluded after more than an hour, with the Coast Guard continuing the search by air and boat before ultimately suspending it. Authorities have not released the identities of the swimmers but confirmed that one was able to make it back to shore safely while the other is presumed to have submerged and remains missing. Officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution around West Cliff edges, respect warning signs, and remain aware of dangerous ocean conditions. The city is also working to expand its water safety awareness campaign to prevent future tragedies.