1 dead after car crashes off Malibu cliffside

One person was killed after a vehicle crashed off a cliffside in Malibu Wednesday.

The crash happened on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Canyon Road at around 5:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The vehicle landed on its side and was lodged deep into a brush area about 150 feet below the main road.

Authorities confirmed the driver, Tracy Ann Vancura, 63, from Camarillo, was killed on impact.

Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene and descended into the wooded area to safely reach the trapped vehicle.

One man who witnessed the crash, William Mbema, had climbed down the cliff in an attempt to help the woman.

“I saw some bystanders waving their hands and asking for help and said, ‘The car went down!'” Mbema recalled. “I pulled over and we rushed down the hill and as we got closer, we saw big tree branches were folded over the car and we saw a body lying there. I was shocked.”

The witnesses called authorities for help as they stayed with the driver.

It’s unclear what caused the deadly collision. The crash site is located about two miles north of Pepperdine University.

“You have to be cautious when driving on canyon roads,” Mbema said. “More protection is needed. It’s a crazy incident. Drive carefully. My prayers go out to the [driver’s] family.”

Both directions of Malibu Canyon Road were reopened Thursday morning after crews shut down both directions on Wednesday night.

Sky5 footage of the scene can be viewed in the video player above.