Videos: San Diego FFs rescue man from SUV that plunged off cliff, dangled on rocks over sea
It was “sheer luck the car landed where it was,” said Battalion Chief Dave Seneviratne
By Don Sweeney
The Charlotte Observer
SAN DIEGO — An SUV plunged off a La Jolla cliff, coming to rest on rocks dangling over the ocean below, California authorities reported.
The San Diego Police Department reported at 7:06 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, on Twitter that a rescue operation closed Coast Boulevard.
A video with the post showed a white Cadillac Escalade hanging off the edge of rocks above the surf while firefighters worked to rescue someone inside.
Due to a cliff rescue after a vehicle collision, Coast Blvd between Prospect Place and Prospect St will be closed for the next two hours.
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) January 15, 2023
The driver only had minor injuries and has been transported to a local hospital. Amazing work by @SDFD on this very dangerous call! pic.twitter.com/eg9awhLA6z
Although police referred to a collision, firefighters told KFMB the SUV drove off the cliff in a torrential rainstorm. Emergency crews responded to the crash at 5:30 p.m.
The SUV landed on the rocks below with the front wheels hanging over the ocean, KSWB reported.
“Sheer luck the car landed where it was,” Battalion Chief Dave Seneviratne told the station.
Firefighters secured the vehicle with ropes and worked to extricate a man inside, KFMB reported.
The man was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.
“Very crazy scene,” onlooker Tyler Mitchell told KSWB.
La Jolla is a neighborhood in San Diego.
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