Del Mar Bluff Collapses

Del Mar, CA — A section of the bluffs in Del Mar collapsed onto the beach Wednesday, but while witnesses at first thought people might have been caught under the rubble, no one was found, a fire dispatcher said.

The collapse was reported shortly after 8:15 a.m. at the foot of 10th Street, according to NorthComm fire dispatch.

The dispatcher said after witnesses were interviewed, it was determined that no one was trapped.

Dogs searched the area just in case and "didn't hit on anything," he said.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Joe Tomaiko, a passerby has called after seeing two women walking by the bluffs just before the cliff collapsed.

"The witness did not see the two walkers after the collapsed," Tomaiko said. "When the deputies arrived, the Del Mar Fire Department and Lifeguard personnel were already on scene. North Coastal Fire asked that Sheriff's Search and Rescue canines respond to search the rubble for any possible victims. An additional Urban Search and Rescue canine was requested through San Diego Fire/Rescue. All canines arrived and searched the scene. There were no victims found."

The Del Mar Public Works Department took over the event to remove the rubble, the sergeant said.

— City News Service and Patch Editor Maggie Avants contributed to this report.

(Patch file photo/Maggie Avants)