2 Men Trapped in Sea Caves After Jumping Over Cliff Rescued By Lifeguards, Bystanders

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department credited lifeguards and good Samaritans with rescuing two men who became trapped in sea caves after jumping off a cliff into the water.

The two men jumped over Sunset Cliffs in the early hours Thursday, June 20, but the crashing waves were more than they could handle, pushing them into cliffside caves and trapping them there.

Passersby heard their screams as they struggled in the water and sprang into action. One person called 911, summoning San Diego Fire-Rescue to the scene, and another jumped into the water.

“They were getting smashed in the waves and they were dropped into the cave," witness Zachary Mallak told KGTV. "And when they were brought into the cave, they didn’t respond. So, they could have gotten stuck there for days; like, who knows what would have happened.”

Ryan Miller told the outlet he was certified at a surf school in Hawaii, so he dove in to help.

"They were dying," Miller said. "They were going to die if no one came in, so what was I going to do? Sit there and watch?"

The good Samaritans were assisted by lifeguards at Osprey Point, along with an off-duty lifeguard, according to the fire department.

Other locals also arrived to help, throwing surfboards into the water until rescuers could arrive.

"They were throwing surfboards over and trying to get everybody out as safely as possible, and it was honestly amazing," Sarah Hulbert, one of the locals who tried to help, told the outlet.

Once the men were extricated, they were evaluated by medics at the scene. San Diego Fire-Rescue said one of them was transported to the hospital.

—TMX contributed to this report.