Empire States Blog

Rock Face Marriage Proposal Was A Cliffhanger

A man who asked his girlfriend to marry him from the side of a cliff had to be rescued by helicopter when he got stuck.

Michael Banks thought he had dreamt up the perfect way to propose to his girlfriend.

The 27-year-old climbed 600 feet up Morro Rock in California, so that with the volcanic outcrop as a dramatic backdrop, he could pop the question on his computer via the Facetime App.

The good news was that she said yes, but the bad news was he got stuck and had to be rescued from the mountainside by helicopter.

Morro Bay fire captain Todd Gailey said Mr Banks took a different, much steeper, trail down the cliff and became stranded.

"He couldn't go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet dangling 80 feet off the ground," he said.

Captain Gailey was lowered by cable from a helicopter to hoist Mr Banks from the narrow ledge, with the rotors spinning near the cliff, and ocean spray battering both men.

Mr Banks appeared calm throughout the rescue, but also "a little unnerved", said Captain Gailey.

Climbing Morro Rock, which is on California's Central Coast, is banned, but some people still tackle it, and there have been several fatal falls over the years.

Local media said Mr Banks had been cited for trespassing, and he is expected to be charged for the helicopter ride.

It is unclear if Mr Banks had any second thoughts about making the proposal from the mountainside, but Captain Gailey said others should consider a place "where you're not in danger of falling off a cliff".

 

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