Lifeguards and firefighters joined to save a hurt man who was discovered on the floor of a 30-foot cliff at the end of E Street on Wednesday night.
The man, who from his positioning was believed to have fallen off the cliff, was discovered around 7:40 p.m. about two blocks south of Moonlight Beach. He fractured both of his legs and received aide from the paramedics at the location. He was then airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for further treatment and examination, reported Encinitas Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Gibbs.
Encinitas lifeguard Capt. Larry Giles informed that the man, who was thought to be around the age of 40, was discovered by a person walking along the beach who had no relation with the victim. The passer-by contacted the police, but was quite off in his estimation of the location. As a result, it took officials longer to find the scene.
The caller signaled and called out to lifeguards as they were passing by and searching for the injured man.
When officials reached the victim he was conscious, but was believed to have internal injuries as well, Giles reported.
Giles reported that E Street comes to a dead-end and there are warning signs all over that are purposefully for the cliffs. There is also a guardrail that is there to prohibit passing.
The top two-thirds of the cliffs in that area are pretty steep, he added. Giles reported that the victim most likely rolled down the first sloped portion about 60 to 70 feet before he struck the 30-foot straight down drop.
About 15 minutes later, Giles stated that authorities received another call regarding a suicide attempt in the same location. Police searched the cliffs and did not find anything and Giles was unsure if the call had to do with the prior incident.