A firefighter searches for two people who were swept out to sea by big waves at Bonny Doon Beach. (Jan. 19, 2016)

Advertisement UC Santa Cruz students missing after being swept out to sea Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Two University of California Santa Cruz students remained missing Tuesday evening after big waves swept them out to sea.The incident began at 5 p.m. Monday at Bonny Doon Beach when five UC Santa Cruz students hiked over ocean rocks to watch the swell and waves swept them into the ocean.Three were able to swim and climb up to the base of a cliff, but Ahmad Solaiman Nourzaie, 25, a College Nine sophomore from San Jose majoring in Earth and planetary sciences,and Shireen Agha Ahsan, 19, a Kresge College sophomore from Palo Alto never made it out of the ocean."(911) callers reported that several people were stuck on rocks, with two people in the water," Fire Chief James Frawley said."The Cal Fire crew found people on the rocks approximately 70 feet down a cliff on the south side of Bonny Doon Beach," Frawley said.Victims told rescue crews that they were not able to get two of their friends out of the water as 15-foot waves pounded the shore.It was an emotional and frustrating Tuesday for friends and family of the victims."He's missing out there and I don't know how to bring him back," Naseer Ahmed, a friend of the 25-year-old, told KSBW.Ahmed began to cry as he said, "I grew up with them. They are family. You could never imagine this day. It's like ridiculous."Numerous agencies launched a two-day search, but rescuers were limited by an intense winter storm.Rescuers rappelled down rocks to reach an ocean cave where they suspected the students may have been swept into. On Monday, a pilot in a Coast Guard helicopter believed he saw the two water victims in an ocean cave."Conditions along the cliff and in the ocean were so severe that no rescue swimmers could enter the water," Frawley said.The Coast Guard resumed its search in the midst of Tuesday's storm with a helicopter and boat. Family members watching from the beach, said they were holding onto hope that their loved ones would be found.The five friends were part of a Muslim campus association at UC Santa Cruz.There were no signs warning about the dangers of high surf at Bonny Doon Beach."Obviously, we have miles and miles of coastline here. Not every part along the California coast is going to be posted. But we do our best to post along major access points," Bill Wolcott of the State Parks Department said.Bonny Doon Beach is a remote beach between Santa Cruz and Davenport."With large surf forecast for the next few weeks, these unfortunate types of events are more likely to occur. People can put themselves at risk, as well as the lives of rescuers, by not keeping a safe distance from the ocean and cliffs," Frawley said.UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal said:"I am deeply saddened to inform you that two of our students are missing after being swept into the ocean near Bonny Doon Beach late Monday afternoon.I want to extend my deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and classmates at this very difficult time.Ms. Ahsan and Mr. Nourzaie were early in their college and professional careers with promising futures ahead. It is heartbreaking to think they may no longer be with us.We also want to extend support to all students, faculty, and staff who are in need. Tragic news can be difficult to process. We encourage students who wish to speak with someone to contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (831) 459-2628. Faculty and staff may wish to call for information on the Employee Assistance Program at (831) 459-3573."