Man falls off cliff, dies while trying to save his dog

A 67-year-old man died Monday after he fell from a 500-foot cliff in California while trying to help his dog, who was partway down the cliff, according to multiple reports.

The man, who was not identified, had been hiking with his dog when it went over the edge of a cliff at Thornton State Beach, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The dog became stranded partway down the cliff, KGO reported. The man attempted to help his dog, but slipped and fell from the cliff, according to the news station. Officials with the CHP said the section of cliff from which the man fell was about 500 feet tall.

With the help of a CHP helicopter, first responders found the man in grave condition. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later.

Thornton State Beach Assist

**CHP Helicopter H-32 Assists North County Fire Authority with Fall From Cliff**At approximately 1130am, CHP Helicopter H-32 was requested by the North County Fire Authority to respond and assist them with a man who fell from a cliff. H-32 responded and arrived over the scene in San Mateo County. The man had been hiking with his dog when it went over the edge of the cliff at the top of Thornton State Beach. The man tried to help his dog back to safety when he, in turn, fell from an approximate 500 foot section of the cliff and onto Thornton State Beach. North County Fire Fighters made their way down to the mans location and located him in grave condition. H-32 landed on the beach approximately 100 yards from where the man landed. The H-32 crew flew the man to a nearby parking lot that was being used as a rescue staging area. Unfortunately, due to the height of the fall, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The man’s dog was recovered by emergency personnel and is being reunited with its family unharmed. The San Mateo County Sheriff Office of the Coroner will be conducting an investigation into his death and media inquires regarding his identification should be directed there. Normally we don’t post incidents that involve body recoveries, however this particular incident generated many media inquiries so a post was necessary. State Parks CaliforniaCHP - San FranciscoGolden-Gate-NationalparkAmerican Medical Response - San Mateo CountyNationalpark-Service

Posted by CHP - Golden Gate Division Air Operations on Monday, February 19, 2018

Officials said the man’s dog was recovered safely. It was reunited with its family Monday.

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