Coast Guard Rescues Injured Man From A Cliff

Early Saturday morning, April 25th, 2026 around 9:15 am Depoe Bay Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched to a report of a 25-year old man who had fallen on the rocks at the cliffside at Rocky Creek State Park, north of Depoe Bay and sustained injuries. Upon arrival Depoe Bay firefighters assessed and stabilized the patient, and determined the safest extraction method was a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hoist. The Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team was requested as a backup.

At approximately 10:00 A.M. watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a request for assistance from the Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) who reported the man had sustained an ankle injury and was unable to safely extricate himself from a cliffside position approximately 10 feet above the water. Due to rising tide conditions and the man's location, first responders determined additional assistance was required to safely recover him from the cliffside.

At approximately 10:25 A.M. an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Facility Newport arrived on scene and successfully hoisted the man from the cliffside. The helicopter landed at Rocky Creek state park where the patient was then transported to the awaiting emergency personnel and was then transported to the hospital in stable condition. Assisting agencies included Newport Fire Department, Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team, Oregon State Police, ODOT, Oregon State Parks, Pacific West Ambulance, and the United States Coast Guard.

“Rescues like this highlight the importance of programs like the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School, which focuses on training for contingencies such as inland search and rescue and cliffside rescue,” said Lt. Travis Weaver, MH-65 pilot in command during the rescue. “Being able to train for events like this before they happen makes for safe and effective rescues when our partners call on us for help.” The rocky coastal terrain can be unforgiving. Visitors should prepare before outings, notify friends or family of plans, and exercise extreme caution. Depoe Bay Fire District has responded to three other falls along the rocky coastline this last weekend and urges the public to use care near cliffs and shorelines.