Car plunges off cliff into ‘pounding’ surf, killing one, California firefighters say

A car plunged off a cliff into the ocean surf, killing one person inside, California firefighters reported.

Los Angeles police received 911 calls about the crash in San Pedro at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, KTLA reported.

Firefighters responded and began looking for the crashed vehicle, according to the first of several alerts posted by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters descended the cliff but encountered “strong waist high surf at peak tide,” turning the search over to helicopters and divers from three fire boats, the agency said.

They found the wrecked car wedged upside down between rocks in the “pounding” surf and “relentlessly” tried to gain access to the vehicle, firefighters said.

Divers eventually found the body of a man who was “beyond medical help” inside the car, firefighters said. No one else was found.

Firefighters said the body will be recovered when conditions allow.

San Pedro is about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Car plunges off cliff into ‘pounding’ surf, killing one, California firefighters say."