Teens Trapped On Cliff In Bodega Bay By Rising Tide Rescued By Helicopter
BODEGA BAY (CBS SF) -- Fire officials and sheriff's deputies helped rescue three teens who became stuck on a cliff in Bodega Bay Friday evening.
Around 5:15 p.m., a Sonoma County sheriff's helicopter was dispatched to Bodega Head for a report that there were two teens stuck about 50 feet below the top of the bluff with water and a rocky beach at least 50 feet below them, according to sheriff's officials.
Additionally, a third teen was stranded about 15 feet below the top of the bluff and was only hanging on to an ice plant, sheriff's officials said.
Fire officials were able to quickly rig a safety rope to an emergency vehicle and gave it to the teen while they set up for a rope rescue, according to sheriff's officials.
Once the helicopter arrived, the pilot was able to spot the teens stuck 50 feet below the top of the bluff, as they were clinging onto loose rocks on nearly vertical terrain.
The pilot landed the helicopter on top of the bluff and crewmembers were able to rig the helicopter for a 100-foot longline rescue, sheriff's officials said.
The pilot then flew the helicopter, as a tactical flight officer held onto the end of the longline, to the teens.
The two teens were then secured to rescue devices and flown to the top of the bluff, one at a time, according to sheriff's officials.
Sheriff's officials determined the group, who was visiting from San Jose, had climbed down to the beach using a trail. Due to the rising tide, the trail was no longer there when they decided to return, sheriff's officials said.
As they tried to climb up the face of the bluff, they got stuck and could no longer climb up or down. A fourth teen who was with them was able to make it to the top of the bluff, where he called for help.
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