Giant surf that hit Southern California created deadly 'sleeper waves,' killed three

The powerful south swell that recently brought historically high waves to the California coast has resulted in the death of at least three people and multiple rescues that likely saved the lives of swimmers.

On June 10, two Bay Area college students died after high tides and large waves swept them from a popular Santa Cruz-area beach while they were napping, according to The New York Times. Their death followed the death of a 5-year-old girl who on June 9 was swept into the Pacific Ocean at Laguna Beach, south of Los Angeles, while walking with her mother and a sibling.

In addition, massive waves hit the usually tranquil Crescent Bay in Southern California, resulting in lifeguards having to rescue swimmers stranded offshore.