Santa Cruz firefighters rescued an individual who suffered major injuries at Natural Bridges State Beach on Friday night.
Fire officials responded to the area at 8 p.m. to reports of a water rescue and found the victim lying on rocks about 30 feet below Swanton Boulevard and West Cliff Drive.
Emergency crews prepared ropes and an aerial ladder for the rescue and saw bystanders assisting the victim below. The victim was extricated from the rocks and brought safely back to the walkway.
Fire officials later learned a California State Parks official and a bystander had pulled the victim out of the water before emergency responders arrived. The complete rescue took about 20 minutes.
Visitors are warned to be careful while visiting coastal areas due to rising tides and unstable cliff edges.
"We would like to remind the public that our coastline offers tremendous beauty, but it should be observed from safe locations" Battalion Chief Josh Coleman said in a statement.
