Vehicle plunges 500 feet off Big Sur cliff, 1 person dead in California

Authorities mentioned Tuesday {that a} car plunged about 500 ft (150 meters) from a towering coastal cliff in California, killing one individual in a harrowing crash alongside the state’s rugged shoreline.

The car reportedly tumbled over the steep, rocky terrain in Huge Sur earlier than coming to relaxation close to the ocean.

“On February 10 at roughly 4:22 p.m., Monterey County Emergency Responders acquired a number of 911 calls reporting {that a} car had left the roadway and apparently entered the water,” based on the Monterey County Sheriff’s Workplace (MCSO).

The incident, which prompted search and rescue efforts by Huge Sur Fireplace and MCSO, occurred alongside California’s central shoreline off Freeway 1 close to the scenic Hurricane Level overlook, based on authorities.

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Search and rescue personnel safe ropes and place themselves alongside the cliff edge at Hurricane Level in Huge Sur, California, on February 10, 2026, as a part of a multi-hour restoration operation. (Monterey Co-Sheriff)

“Responding personnel positioned the car after it went over a cliff and got here to relaxation on rocks greater than 500 ft under,” officers mentioned. “In the course of the operation, rescuers discovered one occupant, who was pronounced useless on the scene.”

Sheriff Tina Nieto mentioned the scene was characterised by harsh environmental situations, suggesting climate may have performed a job within the deadly crash.

“The climate situations made restoration efforts extraordinarily difficult,” Nieto mentioned. “The robust winds required our search and rescue personnel to take extra security measures all through the operation.”

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Search and rescue members help with restoration operations after a car went off Freeway 1 close to Hurricane Level in Huge Sur, California, on February 10, 2026. (Monterey Co-Sheriff)

Huge Sur sometimes experiences the next variety of wet days in February and is liable to landslides as a result of winter storms. In accordance with climate forecasts, close by areas of the incident had been experiencing gentle rain on the time of the crash.

“We lengthen our condolences to the sufferer’s household at this tough time,” Nieto added.

After 4 hours of restoration efforts, authorities transported the sufferer to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Workplace for identification.

Emergency crews reply to a car that left Freeway 1 close to Hurricane Level in Huge Sur, California on February 10, 2026. (Monterey Co-Sheriff)

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The California Freeway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Parts of Freeway 1 in Huge Sur had been closed earlier this 12 months after a big landslide broken the roadway.

Though the world was set to stay closed till March 30, transportation officers reopened the freeway in mid-January after stabilizing “one of many state’s most difficult grades.”