Man rescued from cliff after marriage proposal, arrested for drugs

MORRO BAY, Calif. — Michael Banks had an eventful day Thursday.

He thought he was making a romantic gesture when he tried to propose to his girlfriend from the edge of a cliff, but he ended up needing to be rescued.

Banks illegally climbed Morro Rock in Morro Bay, California, Thursday morning to propose over a video call.

Rescue crews came when a witness heard Banks yelling for help.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter lowered a firefighter down to the cliff so that Banks, 27, could be rescued.

Morro Bay fire Capt. Todd Gailey said Banks' girlfriend said yes, although she was not happy about him being on the cliff to propose.

KBSY reported that Banks was fined for climbing Morro Rock.

"It is illegal to climb Morro Rock, because it kills people," Morro Bay fire Chief Steve Knuckles said. "I have been on at least four calls where people have died on the rock. Since this time last year, we have had four incidents where we have had to use rope to get people off the rock."

The San Luis Obispo Tribune‎ reported that Banks did not leave the area after his helicopter rescue.

A citizen noticed Banks behaving as though he was under the influence of  a substance and complained to the city.

The Morro Bay Harbor Department notified the Morro Bay Police Department, and Banks was arrested for meth possession and sent to the county jail.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website, he was not in jail as of Friday morning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group