MALIBU, Calif. — A dramatic coastal response along Pacific Coast Highway ended in a successful rescue after first responders pulled a trapped dog from a vehicle resting in the rocky ocean surf north of Malibu, fire officials reported.
Click here to view the official Ventura County Fire Department Facebook post regarding the surf rescue operation.
The multi-agency emergency rescue operation was conducted by the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) alongside Federal Fire Ventura County, California State Parks Lifeguards, Gold Coast Ambulance, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2026, along Highway 1 near Deer Creek Road, an isolated stretch of coastline just north of the Los Angeles County line.
Shoreline Crash, Trapped Pet, and Multi-Agency Rescue
According to an official incident advisory released by the Ventura County Fire Department, emergency dispatchers received reports of a single-vehicle rollover crash off the highway edge down into the rocky shoreline.
Upon arrival, fire crews and lifeguards observed a private motor vehicle resting among the rocks at the waterline, with ocean waves washing around the chassis.
The driver managed to climb out of the wreckage to safety while holding one of their pet dogs. However, a second dog remained trapped inside the cabin as water surrounded the vehicle.
VCFD firefighters and California State Parks Lifeguards descended the steep embankment, navigated the rocky surf, and accessed the vehicle. Rescuers safely extricated the trapped dog, secured it, and carried it back up the cliffside to the roadway.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated both dogs on scene and confirmed that neither pet appeared to have sustained injuries.
Medical Transport and Scene Control
Gold Coast Ambulance paramedics treated the driver at the scene before transporting them to a regional hospital in stable condition with minor injuries.
Following the rescue of the driver and pets, first responders secured the perimeter and turned the collision scene over to California Highway Patrol officers to facilitate vehicle recovery operations.
"Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle off the roadway and into the rocks along the shoreline. The driver had self-extricated with one of their dogs, but a second dog remained trapped inside," the Ventura County Fire Department detailed in an official public statement.
"Firefighters and CA State Parks Lifeguards accessed the vehicle, safely freed the dog, and carried it up to the roadway. Neither dog appeared to be injured... This incident highlights the teamwork between VCFD and our area partners in responding to dynamic emergencies," fire officials added.
Motorists are reminded to exercise caution along Pacific Coast Highway, where coastal curves and steep drop-offs require heightened attention. Official updates are available through the Ventura County Fire Department Facebook Page.