Man Falls Over Steep Cliff Trying To Rescue Pet Bird In South OC

TRABUCO CANYON, CA — Firefighters were hard at work Sunday after a man attempting to save his pet bird found himself in a precarious situation.

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters were called to O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday for a remote rescue.

According to firefighters, a man fell over the side of a steep cliff while attempting to rescue his bird and found himself down about 12 feet, with a roughly 40 foot vertical drop below.

Nearby bystanders promptly called 911, and crews found that the quickest and safest way to save the man was to lower a rescuer from the helicopter to perform a pick.

The man was successfully brought to a safe location with his bird tucked under his shirt, authorities said.

It was not immediately known how the bird got free.