A hiker who tragically fell off a cliffside in Northern California was miraculously rescued. As reported by the New York Post, rescue operators worked through the night to save the man.
The man had managed to contact 911 to say he had fallen from a sharp cliff face. He told the operator that he had fallen near Dead Man's Point in Land's End, Presidio. The area is known for having steep drops and is not recommended for hiking.
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The San Francisco Fire Department faced a unique set of challenges in their attempts to rescue the fallen hiker. Not only were there the usual challenges like California's standard brush terrain, but heavy fog set in during the rescue, making visibility scarce.
A video from the operation shows the precarious position the rescue workers were in. High-powered flashlights were also utilized as firefighters tiptoed along the edge of the cliff face. They had created a "rope rescue system" with numerous harnesses as they inched their way forward to get to the man.
The San Francisco Fire Department updated viewers as the operations commenced. During the rescue, they explained, "Firefighters on the cliff face are dealing with multiple challenges. The rock face is becoming unstable and the perch where the victim is located is deteriorating. There is increased risk of the victim falling if the perch gives way."
The Hiker Rescue Involved Land, Air, and Sea Operations
But it wasn't just firefighters working to secure the scene. Whilst they were "installing anchor points along the cliff to secure the rescuers", boats and a helicopter were also being utilized to smooth things along.
In the SFFD's words, "Due to improved [fog] conditions, a United States Coast Guard rescue helicopter is now en route—dense fog has lifted enough to allow air operations at the location."
Because of the deteriorating rocks, the hiker was eventually moved down the shoreline in a "controlled descent". During the fall, he sustained minor injuries, but he survived with nothing life-threatening. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Thanks to the hard work of the Fire Department, the hiker's life was saved. Good on them!
