Authorities say rising tides swept the women into the ocean near a coastal passage known for rapidly changing conditions.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Two Bay Area college students died after they were swept into the ocean by rising tides while sleeping near a remote stretch of coastline in Santa Cruz County, prompting renewed attention to hazards along one of Northern California’s most rugged beaches.
Authorities identified the victims as Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, both of Fremont. Emergency crews launched a large-scale rescue operation after reports that the women had been pulled into the water near Bonny Doon Beach on June 10. Despite extensive rescue efforts involving swimmers, helicopters and multiple agencies, both women later died from their injuries. The incident occurred at a location known as the Keyhole, a narrow coastal passage that officials say can become dangerous when tides rise quickly.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call shortly after 5 p.m. reporting that two women had been swept into the ocean near Yellow Bank Beach, a secluded area north of Santa Cruz. Rescue teams from several agencies responded, deploying approximately eight rescue swimmers into rough surf. According to fire officials, the women had been resting near the Keyhole, a natural rock opening used by visitors to access nearby beaches. Authorities believe changing ocean conditions caught them unaware as the tide advanced. One woman was located near Panther Beach while the other was found closer to Yellow Bank Beach. Rescuers worked against heavy surf and difficult terrain to recover both victims. Capt. Kyle Breton of Santa Cruz County Volunteer Fire said crews believe the women had been sleeping near the passage when the incoming tide swept them into the water. Helicopters and ground crews coordinated the rescue as first responders attempted to stabilize the victims before transport to hospitals.
Officials said one victim was lifted from the shoreline by helicopter and transferred to waiting medical personnel on the bluffs above. The second woman was carried from the beach using a rescue stretcher before being transported by ambulance. Nair, a legal studies student at the University of California, Berkeley, died shortly after the rescue effort. Sran, who was studying public health at San José State University, remained hospitalized in critical condition before dying several days later. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirmed both deaths after notifying family members. University officials at both schools released statements expressing condolences and support for students affected by the tragedy. Friends and former classmates described the pair as ambitious young women who graduated from Washington High School in Fremont in 2023 and remained close while pursuing higher education. Family members said they were struggling to understand how an afternoon at the beach ended in such a devastating loss.
The coastline where the incident occurred has long been regarded as one of the more challenging sections of Santa Cruz County’s shore. Steep cliffs, isolated access points and rapidly changing tides can create hazardous conditions even when weather appears calm. The Keyhole serves as a passage between beach areas but can become impassable when water levels rise. Rescue officials said visitors sometimes underestimate how quickly ocean conditions can change in the area. The tragedy also occurred during a period of dangerous surf conditions reported along portions of the California coast. Emergency personnel noted that several water rescues had taken place in the same stretch of shoreline during the previous month. The frequency of those incidents has increased concern among local authorities, who regularly monitor conditions and respond to emergencies involving hikers, beachgoers and surfers. The remote nature of the location can also complicate rescue operations because crews often must navigate difficult terrain before reaching victims.
The deaths remain under review by local authorities, though officials have indicated that the incident appears to have resulted from environmental conditions rather than criminal activity. Investigators have continued gathering information about the timeline of events and the exact circumstances that placed the women near the water’s edge. Sheriff’s officials have not announced any additional findings beyond the preliminary account provided by rescue personnel. Agencies involved in the response have used the incident to highlight ongoing concerns about coastal safety and the challenges posed by rising tides in remote areas. The rescue operation required coordination among fire departments, sheriff’s deputies, state park personnel and air support crews. Officials are expected to include the incident in broader reviews of coastal rescue activity conducted throughout the summer season. Any additional reports or findings will likely be released through county agencies as they become available.
In Fremont, news of the deaths spread quickly among classmates, educators and community members who remembered the two women from their high school years. Messages of condolence appeared across social media and university communities as friends shared memories and photographs. Nair’s father told reporters he remained in shock following the loss of his daughter. University representatives described both students as valued members of their campuses and extended sympathy to relatives and friends. Along the Santa Cruz coastline, the incident served as a stark reminder of the power of the Pacific Ocean and the unpredictability of changing surf conditions. Rescue personnel who responded to the emergency faced difficult circumstances as they searched the turbulent waters and coordinated medical evacuations from the isolated shoreline. Community members gathered in the days that followed to mourn the victims and reflect on lives that ended far too soon.
Authorities say the case remains closed as an accidental drowning investigation, with no indication of foul play. Local officials continue reviewing rescue data from the coastline, where emergency crews have responded to multiple incidents this year. The deaths of Nair and Sran remain a source of grief for their families, schools and communities.
Author note: Last updated June 16, 2026.