San Mateo County deputies and CAL FIRE units mobilize after reported fall along Highway 1, one person dead
San Mateo County, California – Emergency crews were dispatched late Tuesday morning after reports that a person had fallen from a cliff at Gray Whale Cove State Beach along the San Mateo County coastline.
At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 24, deputies with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, joined by personnel from CAL FIRE’s CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit. The call prompted an urgent, coordinated effort as first responders worked to reach the individual in the rugged coastal terrain.
Specialized rescue teams were deployed to the beach below the cliffs. Despite those efforts, authorities confirmed that the person was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials indicated that witness accounts suggest the individual may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the fall, though that detail has not been formally confirmed.
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office will handle notification of the person’s next of kin. The office is also responsible for determining the official cause and manner of death following its investigation.
Access to the area was briefly restricted during the response. Highway 1 was closed for approximately 30 minutes to allow emergency vehicles and personnel to safely enter and operate near the site. The roadway has since reopened to traffic.
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Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation continues.
