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Local and state emergency responders rescued a San Benito County resident from Pinnacles National Park after he was stranded on a rock formation for more than seven hours on Feb. 11.
CalFire BEU Public Information Officer Josh Silveira said the man in his mid 20s, who was not identified, was likely hiking and decided to explore.
“He got a little over his head and got kind of high and was unable to get down,” Silveira said.
CalFire was dispatched at 5:45 p.m. and quickly located the hiker, but Silveira said the challenge was extracting him. He said the first attempt involved a CHP helicopter, but rescuers were unable to reach him.
Then, Siveira said, San Benito County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue executed a rope rescue and the hiker was transported to the east parking lot for medical examination. He said the hiker was released about 2 a.m. by American Medical Response without any medical needs.
He said it was unknown if the man was an avid hiker and recommended that residents plan ahead before visiting Pinnacles National Park because cellphone reception is spotty.
“We want to encourage residents to be prepared,” he said. “Plan a route and let family and friends know your plans and when they should expect you home.”
He said reporting missing persons early allows first responders to act quickly and limits how long victims may have to endure nighttime weather conditions.
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