Friends died while resting on a beach in Santa Cruz by Highway 1.

Tragic Incident at California Beach Claims Two Lives

Two friends sadly lost their lives after being swept into the ocean by powerful waves off the coast of Santa Cruz County, California.

Last Wednesday, the local sheriff’s coroner confirmed that the victims were Harshita Naar, 21, and Mahyal Suran, 20, both from Fremont. The incident occurred at Bonny Doon Beach, a spot notoriously known for its treacherous conditions.

Naar was a law major at the University of California, Berkeley, with plans to graduate in 2027. Suran was working towards a degree in public health at San Jose State University, also slated to finish in 2027. Both young women graduated from Washington High School in Fremont just last year.

Reports indicate they were napping near a hazardous area known as a keyhole when the waves struck.

Ahok Nehru, Naar’s father, shared his devastation with the media, stating he was at a loss regarding the events that led to his daughter’s death. “I’m still in shock,” he expressed.

Multiple law enforcement agencies quickly responded after a nearby witness called 911 around 5 p.m.

According to Santa Cruz County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kyle Brereton, about eight rescue workers entered the dangerous waters to assist them.

This beach is infamous for its steep, wavy lines, potent currents, and rough surf.

“These two were likely sleeping quite close to the keyhole, an area where it’s easy to lose track of the surroundings,” Brereton noted.

After the rescue, one woman was airlifted to Yellow Bank Beach before being taken to a local hospital, while the other was transported to Panther Beach in a Stokes basket and placed into an awaiting ambulance.

Unfortunately, Naar succumbed to her injuries shortly after being rescued. Suran remained in critical condition until Saturday, although authorities have yet to confirm the specifics of their deaths.

The rescue marked the fifth such incident along that stretch of Santa Cruz County shoreline in just the past month, according to local authorities.

A day before this tragedy, a 5-year-old girl named Amada Mia Brown from San Bernardino was also swept into the ocean near Laguna Beach, losing her life due to the powerful waves that plagued California’s coast.

Colleagues remembered Suran, saying she previously worked as a cashier at the Michael Kors Outlet in Milpitas and was active in her university’s public health club.

Naar had interned at the student union of UC Berkeley and previously worked at a UPS store in Fremont.

The hazardous conditions last week were attributed to a strong southerly swell affecting the Pacific coast, as advised by the National Weather Service.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has since issued warnings related to the rising number of water rescues, emphasizing that beachgoers often don’t realize when the tide is rising around them.