MSNBC : Rogue wave drowns 3 along Calif. coast

Rogue wave drowns 3 along Calif. coast

Two survive being swept into sea at scenic Point Mugu

AP | November 27, 2008

POINT MUGU, Calif. - Three men drowned after being swept out to sea by a rogue wave while watching the surf from a rocky outcrop along Southern California's coast on Thursday.

Authorities say two other men were pulled from the water Thursday afternoon and survived.

The bodies of the drowned men were also recovered.

Capt. Bruce Norris of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department said the victims were 17, 19 and 21.

He said a 17-year-old boy and 27-year-old man survived.

It wasn't immediately clear if the men were related.

The wave struck just before 2 p.m. at Mugu Rock, a rocky outcrop that has appeared in the background of many TV shows, movies and car commercials.