Gresham Man Spends Night On Oregon Coast Cliff Face — But Not Because He wanted To

LINCOLN CITY, OR — A Gresham man spent a rough night on an Oregon Coast cliff face overlooking the ocean near Lincoln City, according to Lincoln County Sheriff's Office officials.

After being dropped off by a friend in the wooded area north of the Roads End State Recreational Area on May 31, Anthony Andrew Craig, 33, took a day hike that turned into a dangerous overnight stay.

Craig was reportedly expected to call when he was done with his hike, but officials said when Craig's friend hadn't heard from him by 9 p.m., and when Craig didn't respond to texts or calls, the friend chose to call the police.

Lincoln County Search and Rescue teams were deployed shortly after 10 p.m., officials said.

Around 10:30 p.m., Craig reportedly called 911 but was unable to verbally communicate his location due to poor cell reception — but he was able to say that he was injured and unable to walk out from where he was. Pinging his cell phone, searchers were able to come up with Craig's general location, officials said.

Around 12:45 a.m., Search and Rescue teams found Craig "stuck on a ledge of a steep cliff face over the ocean," officials said, noting that Craig seemed "disoriented" and was not able to follow commands to stay where he was. Arrangements were made to bring out special equipment to help retrieve Craig, but before it arrived Craig could no longer be seen on the ledge.

Searchers continued looking for Craig into the early morning hours on Thursday, but had to give up due to dangerous terrain and poor weather.

Around 6:30 a.m. the search resumed, and at 9 a.m. a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was deployed to help assist — but Craig appeared to have vanished.

At about 11 a.m. June 1, Craig was able to walk to help, officials said, and has since been reunited with his friend.

Photo Courtesy: Lincoln County Sheriff's Office