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SAN FRANCISCO - A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco crew rescued three people from a cave near Santa Cruz, California, Sunday evening.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received notification from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) officials at 8:16 p.m. requesting air assistance for eight people in distress at Panther Beach.

Sector watchstanders launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from the air station to Panther Beach in an agency-assist capacity.

The aircrew arrived on scene at 9:20 p.m. and discovered three people trapped on the beach experiencing symptoms of hypothermia. The aircrew hoisted all three individuals separately and transferred them to the care of nearby CAL FIRE personnel for further evaluation.