Man Rescued After High Fall
U. S. Coast Guard
January 05, 2005
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - 29-year old, Jose Pratz was hoisted to safety this afternoon after he fell from a cliff at the base of the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and became lodged in an area not accessible to land-side rescue.
Pratz, fell approx 45 feet dislocating his shoulder and breaking his wrist, ankle and back.
Forces United for Rapid Action (FURA) officers were patrolling the waters in the area and quickly responded, Sgt Torres donned a life jacket and swam to the base of the cliff quickly making his way up to Pratz and keeping him from falling further.
Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Petty Officer Second Class Pepe Carire, was lowered down from the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter to a flat area and made his way to Pratz where the two rescuers worked together.
EMS personnel at the top of the cliff assisted by sending down a back-board used to stabilize the young man and ready him to be hoisted up to the hovering Coast Guard helicopter.
After Pratz was safely secure in the Coast Guard helicopter, Sgt Torres was hoisted to the top of the cliff and Petty Officer Carire was hoisted aboard for the short ride to awaiting EMS personnel at the Mayaguez airport where he was noted to be in stable condition.
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