In a seven-hour operation, San Francisco firefighters rescued an injured hiker from a steep, fog-covered cliffside near Dead Man’s Point along the northwestern shoreline early Saturday.
The San Francisco Fire Department said rescue crews found the hiker near Lands End late Friday after dispatchers stayed in contact with the person and helped guide firefighters to the location. The department said the hiker was stable and suffered non-life-threatening injuries after sliding down the cliff face in a controlled descent and landing on the shoreline.
Firefighters set up two rope rescue systems and installed anchor points along the cliff face to secure rescuers before extracting the hiker, the department said. Crews faced low light, poor visibility, dense fog, heavy brush and steep terrain.
“This is an extensive technical rescue operation,” the department said.
Rescue swimmers were staged in the water and guided the hiker to a waiting fire department rescue boat. Paramedics evaluated and treated the victim, who was taken to a local hospital.
One rescue swimmer sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to an emergency room and was expected to make a full recovery, the fire department said.
The department initially said firefighters did not have visual confirmation of the hiker because of the conditions. Crews used cellphone triangulation technology to help locate the person.
Fire officials did not release the hiker’s name or additional details about the person’s injuries early Saturday.
The rescue began around 9:30 p.m. near Dead Man’s Point. The area is near Lands End, a coastal section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area known for trails and steep bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service advised visitors to stay on trails and keep away from cliffs.
Firefighters were assisted by the San Francisco Police Department drone unit, the U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies.
The rescue took place as San Francisco’s coastline was under a coastal flood advisory and ahead of a beach hazards statement warning of sneaker waves, strong rip currents and large breaking waves. The National Weather Service warned of dangerous shoreline conditions and urged people to stay off rocks, piers, jetties and other waterside structures.