A man trapped in a hole for more than 18 hours along the side of a cliff in Sunset Cliffs near Orchard and Cable streets in Ocean Beach was rescued Friday just after 11 a.m., fire officials said.
Rescuers, using a rope-and-pulley system, hoisted the man with a stretcher onto the bluffs above the sea cliffs. The rescued man had been there since 3:40 p.m. Thursday.
San Diego Fire-Rescue said the man slid further down while tunneling in an attempt to create shelter and became trapped from the waist down, wedged under a rock in the bottom of a tunnel about 12 to 15 feet into the hillside, according to KNSD 7.
“The man was trapped in a very narrow space about 12 inches wide, between a sea wall and a cliff that’s eroded and created a tunnel,” SDFD Battalion Chief Crag Newell told NBC 7. “The man entered the tunnel feet first and was trapped up to his waist in debris. Rescuers were able to free him a bit and lift him, but his feet were still stuck.”
Rescue teams from San Diego and Chula Vista worked Thursday until the tide began to rise, which forced them to pause, according to authorities.
Newell said rescuers were able to tunnel in from below to reach the man by drilling the rocks beneath his feet.
“We had a rescuer tunnel in last night from below and were able to reach his feet and started drilling the rocks beneath his feet. But the tide started to come in and we had to pull the rescuer out for safety,” Newell said adding rescue operations were curtailed waiting for the tide to lower.
The trapped man was provided with electrolytes, hot packs and blankets until morning, when rescue efforts resumed. An engine company remained there overnight with him.
Once the tide went down, rescuers were finally able to free the trapped man by 11 a.m. Friday, according to Channel 7.
The man, who was not immediately identified, was reported to be in good condition, was alert and talking to emergency crews after being extricated. He was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Units responding to the cliff rescue included one division chief, one medical supervisor, seven engines, three battalion chiefs, one truck, one medic and 59 personnel.
Updated at 2:25 p.m. Dec. 22, 2023
–City News Service
