Marin Rescue Crews Pull Stranded Cliffside Hikers to Safety

A group of people who were stranded overnight on a cliff in Point Reyes were rescued early Tuesday morning, Marin County sheriff's officials report.

Deputies announced at 12:01 a.m. on Twitter that a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter had rescued the victims, after initial efforts by search and rescue crews had been thwarted due to unstable conditions.

According to deputies, a total three victims were found to be stranded about 100 feet down a 200-foot cliff late Monday. Deputies reported on Twitter at 8:55 p.m. Monday that personnel were en route to assist firefighters with three victims stranded on the remote, rocky cliff.

One of the victims was able to hike down to safety, and was rescued by a CHP helicopter team, officials reported. The other two hikers remain trapped in the cliff at that point.

A helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard was requested, but shortly after that it was determined that conditions were too hazardous for helicopters, and a "major rope rescue operation" was then planned.

"Initial size-up of rescue scene finds cliffs highly unstable, falling rocks, safe rescue may take hours," sheriff's officials said Monday night.

However, about two hours later, a helicopter was able to reach the victims after all, who were brought to safety. The condition of the victims has not yet been released.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

(Image courtesy of the Marin County Sheriff's Office)