A man had to be rescued from Morro Rock on Thursday after climbing it to propose to his girlfriend.
Morro Bay Fire Chief Steve Knuckles says a witness heard the man yelling for help at about 8:45 a.m. and called rescue crews.
The man was reportedly stranded on a very small piece of rock about three-quarters of the way down.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter was used to lower a firefighter to the man and rescue him.
That man has been identified as Michael Banks of Fresno. The firefighter who rescued him says Banks told him he climbed the rock in order to propose to his girlfriend over FaceTime. She reportedly said yes, but was upset by the stunt.
Banks was not hurt, but he does face a fine for climbing Morro Rock, which is illegal.
“It is illegal to climb Morro Rock because it kills people,” said Chief Knuckles. “I have been on at least four calls where people have died on the rock. Since this time last year, we have had four incidents where we have had to use rope to get people off the rock.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zxULWNiMzs
Chief Knuckles says Banks will also have to pay for the cost of the rescue, which will likely cost a few thousand dollars.
Agencies/Canadajournal