The identity of the Watsonville man who perished during last week’s storm after becoming trapped by debris washed ashore by heavy surf along a Santa Cruz County beach has been revealed.
Around 11:30 a.m. on December 23, a big wave carried debris ashore at Sunset State Beach near Watsonville, trapping 64-year-old David Koons, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Ashley Keehn said Koons was taken to a hospital and declared deceased there.
Recent storms that pounded the coast last week caused the excessive waves and partially collapsed the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
According to Santa Cruz Fire, a third person managed to escape the waves without aid, while two others required assistance from lifeguards to be rescued from the sea.
As of Friday, the area surrounding the wharf was still being cleaned up. Due to safety concerns, several Santa Cruz beaches and the port itself remained closed. In an effort to predict when the remaining portion of the wharf may reopen, Santa Cruz officials were still evaluating the damage.
Given the increasing threats posed by climate change, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keely stated that plans to repair the 150-foot part that broke off in the storm are still up in the air.
“We’d be irresponsible if we didn’t ask the question what is the right thing to do here,” Keely replied. “But to say we’re simply going to put it back is, I think, frankly much more risky and irresponsible than having a very serious conversation.”
Jon Bombacit, a retired Santa Cruz Wharf supervisor, told CBS News Bay Area on Sunday.For years, he has warned city officials about the wharf’s collapse risk.
Before he retired in 2021, Bombaci spent the final 11 years of his decades-long employment at the port as a supervisor. He said that the structure had been gradually disintegrating for years due to loosened steel fasteners and a loss of “sheer,” or the capacity to bear the force of water flowing from the sides.
“There has to be structural integrity there or everything starts to move independently,” he said. “This is just a tragic unforced error,” was my first thinking. Because we had a strategy in place to stop this very thing back in 2013.
According to Bombaci, they had a plan ready to go with money that would have expanded the pier and added a pedestrian walkway on either side. However, the project was put on hold by lawsuits brought under the California Environmental Quality Act by a few locals.
In order to safeguard seagull nesting, the California Coastal Commission limited building to stormy winter months when it granted tentative approval.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.