SAN DIEGO — A motorist in Southern California was rescued after he drove his SUV over a cliff in La Jolla Cove during a driving rainstorm, authorities said Saturday.
First responders arriving at the coastline north of San Diego discovered a white Cadillac Escalade on the rocks, partially hanging over the ocean waves, KFMB-TV reported.
Members of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said the vehicle went off the road at about 5:30 p.m. PST, according to KSWB-TV. There was one man in the vehicle.
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
San Diego police told KFMB that the motorist may have been trying to park near the cove when the accident happened.
“Very crazy scene,” Tyler Mitchell, who works at Duke’s La Jolla restaurant nearby, told KSWB.
Mitchell said he began watching the rescue while finishing up work at the restaurant, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
“It was very worrisome at first because you just want to know,” Mitchell told the television station. “I didn’t know how far it was off the edge, then I came down here and it was the front two tires off. It was a lot more nerve-wracking down at this view than up at my angle.”
Happening now - vehicle off the road onto rocks on the beach at 1200 Coast Blv. Driver trapped. Solo occupant. Firefighters & lifeguards working to rescue the victim. #coastcrash pic.twitter.com/rV6a6fGS40
— SDFD (@SDFD) January 15, 2023
The victim was expected to survive the crash, KFMB reported.
“Sheer luck the car landed where it was,” Battalion Chief Dave Seneviratne told KSWB.
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