Off-duty Coast Guardsmen assist in hoisting elderly man from cliffs

DATE: June 1, 2009 4:10:36 PM PDT

Coast Guard Public Affairs
Detachment Los Angeles

NEWS RELEASE

Date: June 1, 2009
Contact: Lt. j.g. Stephanie Young (310) 521-3610

Off-duty Coast Guardsmen assist in hoisting elderly man from cliffs

PALOS VERDES, Calif. — An HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles was diverted to assist in hoisting an elderly male from the base of a cliff near Golden Cove Monday, at 2:00 p.m.

A 50 to 60-year-old man was fishing at Golden Cove in Palos Verdes, when he reportedly fell off the cliff. The incident was witnessed by three off-duty Coast Guard personnel.

Avionics Electrical Technician First Class Brad Young, Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Mitch Latta and Aviation Survival Technician Third Class Gabe Humphrey were preparing for recreational diving at Golden Cove when they witnessed the fall. The Coast Guardsmen contacted local EMS personnel to respond, but the ambulance was unable to reach the victim due to the terrain at Golden Cove.

The off-duty personnel contacted the Command Center at Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach which diverted the HH-65C Dolphin helicopter that was already in the air for a routine training mission when the incident occurred. The Dolphin helicopter lowered a basket to the beach where the individual was loaded into the basket and hoisted into the helicopter.

The helicopter transported the patient to the UCLA Harbor General Hospital where he was transferred to local medical personnel.

The Coast Guard would like to remind the public to exercise extreme caution when fishing or traversing around cliffs, rocks or break walls. When going out, make sure to tell friends or relatives your plans and destination.

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