Photo: Sam Gomez / iStock / Getty Images
Two 18-year-old hikers were rescued by helicopter on Saturday (August 2) after becoming stranded on a remote beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Rising tides had cut off their exit route, leaving them trapped near Elephant Rock. The Marin County Fire Department received a call for assistance and contacted the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, which deployed a helicopter for the rescue.
The helicopter, equipped with a 100-foot-long rope, executed a long-line rescue operation. The rescuer, secured to the line, was lowered onto the rocky beach to secure the hikers into "hot seat" rescue devices designed for aerial extraction. Both hikers were safely hoisted into the helicopter and taken to Marin County Fire Department personnel waiting nearby.
According to authorities, no injuries were reported during the incident. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office praised the seamless teamwork between the helicopter crew and the fire department, calling it a great example of multi-agency coordination and skilled execution.
The Point Reyes National Seashore is a popular destination for hikers, but the beaches can be dangerous due to rough surf, sneaker waves, and rip currents. The National Park Service advises visitors to check tide times and have a way to contact emergency resources, as some areas lack cell coverage.
The sheriff's office shared a video of the rescue on Facebook, which you can watch below.