Two Bay Area college students died after being swept into the ocean at a Santa Cruz County beach on June 10, 2026, in a tragic incident that has prompted renewed safety warnings about the dangerous coastline.
Harshita Nair, 21, a legal studies student at the University of California, Berkeley, and Mahial Sran, 20, a public health major at San Jose State University, were at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz when rising tides swept them into the water. Both women were from Fremont, California, and had graduated together from Washington High School in 2023.
The incident occurred on a section of the coast from Yellow Bank Beach south to Bonny Doon Beach near a natural archway. Witnesses reported that the two friends were at the beach when a large swell pulled them into the frigid water. Early reports suggested they may have been napping on the sand, though some accounts varied on the exact circumstances.
Mahial Sran’s father said on Monday night that his daughter’s belongings and cell phone remained dry, suggesting the women were close to the shoreline when a wave struck them. The incident highlighted the particular dangers of what local fire officials call the “keyhole” section of the beach.
Santa Cruz County Fire Captain Kyle Breton explained that Panther Beach and Yellow Bank Beach are separated by the keyhole, which becomes inaccessible when the tide rises. People who pass through the keyhole at low tide can become trapped when the water comes in, with their options running out very quickly. Breton added that a sneaker wave may have been responsible for sweeping the two women into the ocean.
Cal Fire deployed eight rescue swimmers to search for the victims, with additional personnel positioned on the banks to observe and help direct the rescue efforts. The rescue teams successfully brought both Sran and Nair to shore. One woman was found close to Panther Beach and the other was recovered at Yellow Bank Beach to the north.
Both women were rushed to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, but despite rescue efforts, they were pronounced dead. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Ashok Nair, Harshita’s father, told media outlets that he was still in shock and didn’t know exactly what had happened. In her obituary, Harshita was described as someone full of vitality who brought enthusiasm, kindness, and happiness everywhere. The tribute noted that she had a gift for encouraging people, making them smile, and helping them feel appreciated and important.
University of California, Berkeley Student Body President Abigail Verino remembered Nair as someone dedicated to assisting people in need, particularly in her internship supporting underserved racial and ethnic groups. Verino said Nair embodied the importance of belonging to and serving something beyond oneself.
Adam Ratliff, a UC Berkeley spokesperson, said the university extended its condolences to the student’s family and friends. Michelle McDonald, a San Jose State University spokesperson, said the entire SJSU community shared in the grief felt by those who loved and cared for Sran.
Both students were expected to graduate in May 2027. Nair was pursuing a degree in legal studies at UC Berkeley, while Sran was studying public health at San Jose State. According to her LinkedIn profile, Sran also worked part-time as a cashier at the Michael Kors Outlet at Great Mall in Milpitas.
Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan paid tribute to both women on Facebook, describing their young lives as filled with promise. He expressed his deepest condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and everyone grieving the unimaginable loss.
The incident has highlighted ongoing safety concerns along this particular stretch of the Santa Cruz County coastline. Captain Breton revealed that within a one-mile stretch of beach in the area, rescue teams have responded to five ocean rescues between May 10 and June 10. Comparatively, they typically run about six to eight ocean rescues per year along this section of beach.
Alison Bridger, a San Jose State University meteorologist and climate scientist, explained that the dangerous swells originate from weather systems in the Southern Hemisphere during its winter season. These weather systems produce waves of energy that move across great distances between hemispheres, generating hazardous surf along California beaches.
Authorities have urged caution along the coast, noting that a Beach Hazard Statement remained in effect. The changing tide conditions in the area contributed to the incident, with officials warning that the beautiful but rugged coastline can be particularly dangerous for beachgoers, especially during high tide.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both university communities and the city of Fremont, where both young women grew up and attended high school together. Friends and classmates have been sharing memories and tributes on social media, remembering two promising lives cut short by the ocean’s unpredictable power.
Local officials continue to emphasize the importance of respecting ocean conditions and heeding all posted warnings, particularly in areas known for dangerous tides and sudden swells that can catch even experienced beachgoers off guard.