Two Bay Area college students have died after authorities said they were swept into the ocean while resting near a natural archway known as the keyhole at a notoriously dangerous Northern California beach.
The incident happened on June 10 at Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz County, where Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, were reportedly caught by rising tide and surf near the archway that connects Bonny Doon Beach and Yellow Bank Beach. Authorities said the two women were believed to have been sleeping on or near the keyhole when they were pulled into the water.
Both young women were from Fremont and had graduated from Washington High School in 2023. Nair was studying legal studies at the University of California, Berkeley, with an expected graduation year of 2027, while Sran was enrolled at San José State University in public health and was also due to graduate in 2027.
Around 5pm, a witness dialed 911, prompting a response from several emergency agencies. Santa Cruz County Volunteer Fire Captain Kyle Breton was among those who attended the scene.
Rescuers were able to pull both students from the water, and one was initially reported to be in critical condition.
They later both died.
Officials later spoke publicly about the rescue effort and warned others about the risks posed by the stretch of coastline.
In a Facebook video posted by CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, Breton said first responders were initially told there was “one patient in the water,” but that by the time crews got there, “it had been upgraded to two patients in the water”.
He said rescue swimmers entered the ocean in an effort to reach both victims.
‘About eight’ rescue swimmers went into the water and were ‘able to extricate both patients,’ one brought to Yellow Bank Beach and the other to Panther Beach.
Both were then taken to a nearby hospital, Breton said.
Although an official cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed, Breton told The Post it is believed that ‘both of these patients […] were originally sleeping right at the keyhole’ of the beach ‘which is an area that […] catches a lot of people unaware’.
That section of the beach is known for rapidly changing conditions, strong surf and tide shifts that can catch visitors by surprise.
“We’re also seeing people going through the keyhole to get to Yellow Bank Beach and then they get trapped on Yellow Bank Beach because the tide.”
Harshita’s father, Ahock Nair, said:
“I have no idea what happened. I’m still in shock.”
On June 11, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning on Facebook as rescue crews dealt with a rise in similar emergencies. Officials said beaches across Santa Cruz County were expected to be crowded because of warm weather, and they urged visitors to stay alert for sneaker waves, rip currents and changing surf conditions.
“Over the past few weeks, law enforcement and fire crews have responded to an increased number of water rescues.
“With warm weather expected this weekend, beaches across Santa Cruz County are expected to be crowded. Please keep safety a top priority.
“Never turn your back on the ocean. Watch for sneaker waves and changing surf conditions. These powerful waves can surge much higher and farther up the beach than expected.
“Know how to recognize and respond to rip currents. Keep children within arm’s reach near the water. Swim near staffed lifeguard towers whenever possible. Stay off rocks, jetties, and driftwood near the surf zone.
“Elevated temperatures and a long-period southerly swell are creating dangerous ocean conditions. A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through 9:00 p.m. June 11, with hazardous surf expected through the weekend. Stay alert, stay informed, and help keep our beaches safe.”
The tragedy came amid a dangerous stretch of surf conditions along the Northern California coast and followed other recent water rescues and ocean emergencies in the region, including a separate fatal beach incident near Bonny Doon Beach earlier in June.
CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit said on Facebook:
“This is the fifth rescue we’ve performed in a month along a 1-mile stretch of coastline, from Yellow Bank Beach to Bonny Doon Beach.”
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