Remarkable video shows three people surviving after a 15o foot portion of the Santa Cruz Pier collapses.  Two engineers and a project manager from a construction team fell into the ocean with the pier and were rescued as the portion that collapsed floated away.

Remarkable video captures the aftermath, and the lifeguards responding as even a skid loader was floating atop the debris.

CALIFORNIA – A portion of the Santa Cruz Wharf has collapsed and is floating away Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Three people went into the water when the pier section collapsed, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department. Two of them were rescued by lifeguards, and a third person was able to get to safety on their own. All three were treated and released, according to Santa Cruz Fire Department officials.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m., officials said. About 150 feet of pier section at the end of the Northern California wharf collapsed.

The end of the pier that broke off had been shut down for repairs caused by prior storms. The portion, which included public restrooms and the closed Dolphin restaurant, floated about half a mile down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River.

The collapse comes amid a major swell that is expected to bring wave heights up to 26 feet high to parts of the California coast. The swell is expected to last through Tuesday.

“You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the NWS said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor has been briefed on the pier collapse. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local agencies and officials. (read more)

Yikes!  In the shocking video (screengrab below) you can see two of the workers floating away on top of the debris, shortly before lifeguard arrived to pull them to safety.