Search suspended for 2 UC Santa Cruz students washed away by wave

An ocean search for two missing college students from the Bay Area was called off Wednesday, three days after they were knocked off a rock by a wave and swept into the water near Santa Cruz, U.S. Coast Guard officials said.

The search was suspended after rescuers on the ground and in helicopters and boats combed 46 square miles over 22 hours.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the missing persons,” said Capt. Greg Stump, a Coast Guard commander.

A Coast Guard rescue boat and helicopter were dispatched to the area, but the air search was called off Monday night because of darkness.