Calif. Rescue Crews Save Two Residents Who Drove Off Cliff

Nov. 15--Emergency responders pulled two people from a car early Saturday after the vehicle ran off the road, over a cliff and into the rising waters south of Stinson Beach.

The man and woman involved in the wreck suffered life-threatening injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol, and were taken to a Bay Area trauma center. Officials believe drowsy driving may be to blame for the crash.

A witness called 911 about 11:50 p.m. Friday after the car drove off Shoreline Highway, over the cliff and into the ocean below. The car was partially submerged, the caller said, and the tide was rising.

Flying over the scene in a helicopter, CHP officers were able to spot the car being battered by waves about 12:20 a.m. They landed on the beach, about 100 yards away from the vehicle, and called for reinforcements.

Marin County firefighters pulled the two people from the car about 1:15 a.m. -- just 20 minutes before high tide.

Both victims, who were not immediately identified, are Stinson Beach residents, according to the highway patrol. The car, which could not be recovered until low tide, was pulled out of the ocean Saturday afternoon.

Marissa Lang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: mlang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Marissa_Jae

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