Car Drives Off Santa Cruz Wharf Sunday Rescues Occupant, Dog

A vehicle drove off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf into the water at about 9:44–9:45 a.m. Sunday, prompting a multi-agency water rescue response. Santa Cruz Fire Department, along with Central Fire, Scotts Valley Fire, California State Parks, Santa Cruz Police and other agencies including Coast Guard and harbor patrol, extricated one person and one dog from the submerged vehicle, though officials have not disclosed their conditions. Some reporters say the vehicle remains in the water and there is believed to have been another occupant, while crews worked to recover the car and secure a broken section of railing. The wharf was closed to the public during the recovery and investigation, though one report said it was later reopened with restrictions. Authorities have not identified the victim, have requested additional mutual aid, and say the situation is still developing.