A kite surfer stranded on a remote beach in California found a novel way to call for aid. The man used rocks to spell out the word “HELP” on the sand, catching the eye of a private helicopter operator who then called 911 for help. Surrounded by tall cliffs and a rising tide on the beach south of Davenport Landing, the kite surfer’s message was seen by a private helicopter, prompting a rescue operation.
According to a post by the Santa Cruz unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a rescue helicopter was dispatched to the location to airlift the stranded kite surfer to safety. The kite surfer began his journey at Davenport Landing Beach but was swept down the coastline, leading to his predicament.
Cal Fire Capt. Skylar Merritt emphasized the dangers of the cliffs, strong winds, rip tides, and cold water in the area, warning against a false sense of security. Similar to this rescue operation, in April, the US military rescued three mariners stranded on a Pacific island for over a week after they had used palm leaves to write “HELP” on the beach.
While Cal Fire did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider outside of regular working hours, the successful rescue operation highlighted the importance of creative ways to signal for help in emergency situations.