Michael Banks scaled 600-foot Morro Rock on the Southern California coast on Thursdayto propose to his girlfriend live, on the Facetime app. The good news: She said yes. The bad news: Banks got stuck, and had to be plucked by helicopter. (April 7) AP
Talk about a rocky proposal.
A California man was rescued on Thursday after he climbed California's 600-foot Morro Rock to propose to his girlfriend on the Facetime app.
The soon-to-be-bride said yes, according to Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported.[1] But the daring proposal came at a price.
A video posted on the City of Morro Bay Facebook page shows Michael Banks, 27,[2] bracing against Morro Rock as a first responder hangs from a cable attached to a helicopter and tries to grab a hold of him.
In the video, Morro Bay Fire Capt. Todd Gailey finally reaches Banks, and the two are pulled away from the cliff.
Banks apparently made it up the rock, without any issues, but became stranded on the way down, Gailey told the Associated Press.[3]
"He couldn't go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet dangling 80-feet off the ground," Gailey told AP.
It's illegal to climb Morro Rock, which is located along California's Central Coast, according to the City of Morro Bay. In a Facebook post Thursday, the city asked daredevils to refrain from following in Banks' footsteps.
"We hope folks will choose to view it from below, saving themselves and our fire responders time and money, and protecting everyone's safety," the city said.
Banks will be billed for the chopper ride and "other related costs," according to the city.
Well, at least, she said yes.
Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.
References
- ^ San Luis Obispo Tribune reported. (www.sanluisobispo.com)
- ^ on the City of Morro Bay Facebook page shows Michael Banks, 27, (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Gailey told the Associated Press. (hosted2.ap.org)
Source → A rocky start? Cliff-top proposal ends in helicopter rescue
