A family of five has been killed in a horror crash after their car plunged about 100 feet off a cliff along California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway near Mendocino.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) identified the victims on Tuesday as two women from West Linn, Oregon, and three children.
In a report on the crash, the highway patrol said a 2003 GMC Sierra truck was driving south along Highway 1 on Monday when it pulled into a dirt turnout along the road and, for unknown reasons, continued directly off the cliff.
Authorities say a family of five – two women and three children – was killed when the vehicle they were in plunged about 100 feet off a cliff along California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway near Mendocino.
In a report on the crash, the highway patrol said a 2003 GMC Sierra truck (pictured) was driving south along Highway 1 on Monday when it pulled into a dirt turnout along the road and, for unknown reasons, continued directly off the cliff
In a photo of the crash, released by the CHP, the truck is seen on its roof on rocks just south of Juan Creek. Authorities confirmed the impact killed all five.
A CHP trooper said it is currently unclear if all the passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash because the three children were found outside the vehicle and the two adults were still inside.
Firefighters had to rappel down the cliff to retrieve the bodies – after they were discovered around 3.40pm on Monday by a passerby – and a helicopter was called to lift them up, reported KOIN.
A CHP trooper said it is currently unclear if everyone was wearing seat belts at the time of the crash because the three children were found outside the vehicle and the two adults were still inside Pictured, Google view of the dirt turnout)
The weather was reported as clear, and drugs and alcohol were not considered factors. An investigation is underway (Pictured, a helicopter arrives to lift up the bodies)
The weather was reported as clear, and drugs and alcohol were not considered factors.
Investigators say they are not certain what caused the crash but an investigation is under way and autopsies will be performed.
A spokesperson from the CHP told DailyMail.com that the investigation is still ongoing and that the names and ages of the victims will be released once the family has been notified.
The CHP did reveal that the children were from Oregon and Washington, reported KGW. It is also unclear at this time what the relationship is between the five victims.