VIDEO UPDATE: Coast Guard rescues 16-year-old hiker from cliff near Crescent City

News Release

Oct. 17, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest Contact: 11th District Public Affairs Office: (510) 437-3325 After Hours: (510) 772-8865

VIDEO UPDATE: Coast Guard rescues 16-year-old hiker from cliff near Crescent City

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MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a 16-year-old hiker who fell from the Coastal Trail on Highway 101 and was stranded 300 feet up from a cliff face near Crescent City, Saturday night. 

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay hovered 240 feet above the ledge where the boy was stranded and lowered Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Gardner, a rescue swimmer, using all 245 feet of cable to reach the boy and complete the hoist. 

"This was one of the most difficult rescues I've completed," said Gardner. "We train for cliffside rescues, but this was unique because we had to use all of the cable available to reach him. This type of rescue is not something we've done before." 

The Dolphin crew transported the boy to Del Norte County Airport in Crescent City, where Del Norte County Sheriff's Office emergency medical services personnel were waiting to transport him to a local hospital. 

To view the original release, click here. 

-USCG-