Teen Rescued From Cliff In Lincoln City

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday March 14, 2026, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District #1 was dispatched to a report of a hiker who had slipped on loose rock and slid approximately halfway down a steep cliff face in the God’s Thumb area near Roads End in Lincoln City. Responding crews determined that one individual had become stranded on steep terrain after sliding down the cliff. Two additional hikers who had been with the victim remained at the top of the cliff and attempted to reach them but were unable to safely descend the unstable slope.

Fire crews established command near Logan Road and NW 64th Street while additional personnel responded to the trailhead and beach areas to assess possible access routes. Witnesses who observed the fall provided valuable information, including GPS coordinates, photos, and video of the victim’s location on the cliff face. This information helped responders quickly determine the victim’s approximate position and develop a rescue plan.

Due to the steep terrain, loose rock, and limited safe access for ground crews, aerial rescue assistance was requested from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Lincoln City Police Department also deployed a drone to assist responders by providing aerial observation of the cliff area and helping identify hazards. Members of the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team responded to assist and prepared for potential rope rescue operations if needed. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene and successfully performed a hoist rescue, safely removing the stranded hiker from the cliff face. The individual was then transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for evaluation and reunited with their hiking companion. The two additional hikers were not injured and able to self-rescue.

North Lincoln Fire & Rescue thanked the U.S. Coast Guard, Lincoln City Police Department, and the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team for their assistance in bringing the incident to a safe resolution. Officials remind hikers to use caution when traveling in coastal cliff areas, as loose rock and steep terrain can present significant hazards. Staying on designated trails and maintaining a safe distance from cliff edges can help prevent serious accidents.