San Diego

Man Dies on Beach at Base of Sunset Cliffs After 50-Foot Fall

Emergency crews launched rescue efforts Friday night to pull the man from the beach after he plunged off Sunset Cliffs

A man died on the beach Friday night after tumbling at least 50 feet down Sunset Cliffs, officials confirmed. 

At around 10:45 p.m., the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) was called to the 700 block of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to investigate reports of a person down the cliffs.

Firefighters scaled down the cliffs and, on the beach below, discovered a man dead at the base. Emergency crews tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead on the beach, the SDFD said.

Details on what led to the man’s tumble down the cliffs are unclear. San Diego Lifeguards told NBC 7 he fell at least 50 feet down onto the beach below.

On Saturday morning, the San Diego Police Department said the incident was under investigation, with officials looking into several possibilities, including if the man fell, jumped or was pushed. Police said it does not appear that the man experienced any sort of medical emergency before the plunge. It is unknown, at this point, if he was alone or with friends.

Rescue crews are called out to Sunset Cliffs for rescues several times a year for people who fall down the cliffs. Clear signs are posted along the area warning people of the danger of the unstable terrain and telling them to stay back.

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