SANTA CRUZ — A 22-year-old Fremont man died Monday when he plunged about 25 feet from a cliff onto a rock ledge along West Cliff Drive, authorities said.

The fall was reported about 5:45 p.m. at West Cliff and Stockton Avenue.

Police Lt. Bernie Escalante said the man, Nick Syed Husain, had been accompanied by two friends, a young man and woman, whom police believe were intoxicated. They were taken to the Police Department for questioning, Escalante said.

Husain, whose body was found lying on the flat rock, died at the scene. Authorities believe he suffered a head injury.

It’s unknown whether Husain accidentally slipped or intentionally jumped, Escalante said. Police also are investigating whether the fall could have been a criminal act.

“The initial report is that it was more of an accidental situation, but we’re not ruling anything out,” Escalante said.

A bystander called 911, he said.

Rescue crews climbed down the cliff to rescue the man, but called off a medical helicopter after they determined he was dead. They raised his body up a long ladder to street level.

Longtime West Cliff Drive resident Dave Britton, part of the crowd watching authorities retrieve the body, said cliff falls are common in the area, particularly with tourists.

“It happens out here all too often,” Britton said. “It’s rainy, it’s overcast and it’s getting dark. It’s easy to slip on a rock. I feel bad for the people not knowing any better.”

Neighbor Jack Zajac, a well-known artist, echoed Britton’s sentiments.

“This is a heart-breaker. It’s a tragedy,” Zajac said. “It’s a wonderful area, but it also has its risk.”