SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — A portion of a California wharf collapsed during high surf on Monday, sending three city workers into the water. The three workers are safe and accounted for.
The partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf occurred at 12:45 p.m. PT on Monday, as the result of strong waves crashing into it. Two of the three workers were rescued, while the third swam to safety. No members of the public were on the wharf, which has been closed to the public, at the time it collapsed.
About 150 feet of the wharf, including a restroom and a part of a $4 million restoration project, collapsed. A city project manager and two contracted engineers were on the wharf when it collapsed. No serious injuries were reported.
The municipal wharf is undergoing a renovation following storm impacts. The restoration project has cost $4 million so far, and the entire wharf is now closed until further notice, pending a structural integrity assessment.
