Two college students died after being swept out to sea from a Santa Cruz beach as strong waves and dangerous rip currents affected California\u2019s coastline in recent days. Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, were pulled from the water by rescue crews and later died in local hospitals.<\/p>\n
Rescue teams, including about eight swimmers, lifted the two from the water after a swift swell last Wednesday. They were transported by ambulance and helicopters to nearby hospitals, where Nair died the same week and Sran succumbed on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Local authorities highlighted treacherous conditions along the coast amid king tides, urging beachgoers to exercise caution across California. The incidents come amid ongoing warnings about high tides and rough sea states.<\/p>\n
The Santa Cruz incident occurred along a mile-long stretch from Yellow Bank Beach to Bonny Doon Beach, where firefighters had already conducted several rescues that day, according to Cal Fire.<\/p>\n
Authorities noted that Nair and Sran were reportedly napping near a rock archway between two beaches when the water surged, pulling them into the sea. The cause of the swell was a combination of strong waves and rip currents.<\/p>\n
Nair studied at the University of California, Berkeley, while Sran attended San Jose State University, according to confirmations from their respective schools. Sran\u2019s family and friends mourn the loss, with tributes published locally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"