SAN DIEGO —  A stretch of oceanside bluff below the Torrey Pines Golf Course collapsed and killed a man Wednesday, authorities said.

The man, whose identity was not released, suffered severe head trauma when he was struck by the falling rocks, said San Diego police spokesman Gary Hassen.

The victim was in his 50s and visiting from Las Vegas, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesman Maurice Luque.

The 30-foot-wide section of cliff gave way several hundred feet below the golf course, which hosted the U.S. Open in June.

The victim was on vacation with his family, said a man who identified himself as his brother and declined to give his name.

A lifeguard helped dig out the victim's possessions, including a cell phone and a backpack.

The beach and parts of the bluff surrounding the collapse were closed.

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