In a scene similar to that of gripping island survival movies, a kite surfer found himself stranded on a beach south of Davenport Landing in northern California last weekend. Instead of waiting in hope, the man crafted a straightforward yet clever SOS message in order to get himself rescued. The kite surfer used rocks to spell out the word “HELP” on the sand. His message was spotted by a private helicopter which altered the emergency authorities.
The California Fire’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit wrote in a Facebook post that the man was in good physical condition but needed to be airlifted to get off the beach.
“A kite surfer was rescued off a beach south of Davenport Landing after being stranded. He used rocks on the beach to spell out the word “HELP.” He was spotted by a private helicopter who then called 911. CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire, CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit Copter 612, Santa Cruz Fire Department and California State Parks all worked together to complete the extraction. The surfer did not need medical attention, only help from the beach,” the agency wrote.
In the videos and photos shared by the agency, the kite surfer can be seen being airlifted to safety. In the visuals, the word “HELP” spelt out using rocks is clearly visible.
California Department of Forestry Fire Captain Skylar Merritt described the incident to the Los Angeles Times as a “different type of 911 call” than they usually receive. He said that the helicopter’s quick response prevented the man from having to worry about hypothermia or dehydration. Skylar Merritt further said that the rescued man was an experienced windsurfer but encountered exceptionally challenging conditions in the area.
The Guardian citing the Santa Cruz unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that the kite surfer got stuck on a narrow beach on June 9 surrounded by towering bluffs while the tides were rising.
Merritt told NBC Bay Area that the area is “extremely beautiful place to work and live,” but he warned that its beauty can give a false sense of security. He explained that the beaches are known for their strong winds, riptides and cold water which can be dangerous.
As per USA Today, three tragic incidents occurred within a 3-mile area that included Davenport Landing in 2021. The incidents led to California Fire officials to issue a safety warning on social media at that time.
Comments
0 comment