At approximately 4:16 p.m. reports began to emerge that a subject was in distress on a rock one mile offshore of Mendocino County’s remote Usal Beach.
CalFire’s helicopter 101 has been requested to the scene for an ocean rescue hoist.
The United States Coast Guard, California State Parks, and Fish and Game have all been dispatched to the incident. The Coast Guard reports they can be in the area in 45 minutes, but will cancel if the CalFire helicopter can arrive sooner.
UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: CalFire personnel reported to dispatch they are working rig up the rescue hoist and predict the helicopter flight will take approximately 25 minutes to arrive on scene. They also expressed concern of visibility on the coast hindering their speed.
Based on this information, the Coast Guard told dispatch they would continue to the scene.
UPDATE 4:55 p.m.: The Calfire helicopter is aloft and beginning its flight to the coast.
Scanner traffic indicates first responders are on Usal Road itself driving to the beach to assist on the shore.
UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: First responders driving rural Usal Road are reporting multiple vehicles driving on the road slowing progress and intend to shut down the road to clear the way for incoming rescue vehicles.
UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: The CalFire helicopter has reported they have about 500 feet of visibility on the coastline with slow 5-10 knot winds.
The Coast Guard vessel is reportedly 22 minutes out from the scene.
UPDATE 6:33 p.m: Scanner traffic indicates that there was a party found on the beach as well as another with skull fractures. After first responders successfully retrieved the pair, against medical advice they turned down their assistance.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
