In Morro Bay, California, a man was rescued on a cliff after his marriage proposal to his girlfriend. The man is still lucky enough to be alive, and of course, to have the precious "yes" of his girlfriend.
Michael John Paul Banks, 27 years old from Fresno, climbed the 600-foot Morro Rock on Thursday to propose marriage to his girlfriend via Facetime, a video-messaging app.
Banks climbed up the eastern side of the Morro Rock 15 minutes before the sunrise, after the proposal he decided to take the steeper side of the rock to go down. But unlucky for him, he got stuck on his way down.
"He couldn't go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet dangling 80 feet off the ground," said Todd Gailey, captain of Morro Bay Fire.
The rescuers called for help and asked for a helicopter. California Highway Patrol went to the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m.
Capt. Gailey descended with the help of a cable as he grabbed Banks from the sheer ledge. The two were hanging on the cable, with the helicopter's blade near whipping the rock.
Banks was calm the whole time the rescue was ongoing, but a "little unnerved," said Gailey.
The man was rescued and safely returned to the land after 9:30 a.m. with little scrapes and a misdemeanor citation for trespassing — also billed for his unexpected helicopter ride.
"It was a pretty amazing rescue on the part of the Fire Department," said Dale Kinney, ranger from Morro Bay State Park.
The rescue team was composed of Morro Bay Fire, California Highway Patrol and Morro Bay State Park.
On the good side of this near end-betrothal event is that his girlfriend fortunately said "yes".
"There's plenty of safe and beautiful areas that people can choose from where you're not in danger of falling off a cliff," Gailey said pertaining to momentous moments such as Banks' marriage proposal to his girlfriend.
Morro Rock has several records of fatal falls over the past years. The Morro Bay is also dangerous as it sends massive waves that can sweep adventurous people and rescuers.
