CHP Helicopter Rescues Man After 70+’ Fall From Cliff – 02/28/2015

Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County
On February 28, 2015 at approximately 4:20 PM, CHP Air Operations received a request from Marin County Fire to assist with the rescue of a hiker that had fallen approximately 70’- 80’ from a cliffside onto the rocks below. The victim hit the rocks before falling into the surf. The victim was able to drag himself onto a rock outcropping. The hiker, a 24 year old male, was visiting the area with a church group. After the victim fell, two good Samaritan bystanders ran down a nearby single track trail to a beach area and were able to swim to the rock outcropping to reach the injured party while others in his party ran until they were able to get cell phone service to call for help. CHP Helicopter H-30 responded to the area and arrived first on-scene. H-30 landed on a bluff overlooking the Arch Rock Area. H-30’s crew quickly briefed a Marin County Fire Captain before hoisting the Fire Captain to the small rock outcropping where the injured party was located. The Fire Captain was able to package the victim for hoist extraction. H-30 returned and hoisted the victim and fire captain to the helicopter. H-30 then flew the victim to the Bear Valley visitor center to transfer the patient to an awaiting ambulance. The ambulance transported the patient to a nearby trauma center with major injuries. After delivering the patient to the ambulance, H-30 returned to Arch rock and hoisted the 2 good Samaritans to safety. Due to the tide rising during the course of the rescue, the good Samaritans had no way to get to safety without the assistance of H-30. The tide was coming in and was a serious concern during the course of the rescue.