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Man Rescued After Van Plunges 100 Feet Down Cliff Along Highway 1

PACIFICA (CBS SF) — A man was rescued Friday after his van plunged more than 100 feet off a cliff and crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Highway 1 outside the Devil Slide's tunnel, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Vu Williams says the man was the only occupant of the minivan or SUV that plunged down the steep cliff Friday in Montara State Beach. Williams says the man managed to get out of the vehicle on his own, and just before 8 a.m, the man walked to the firefighter, was put in a harness and lifted up to a waiting ambulance.

Aerial images from the crash site showed a firefighter rappelling down the cliff and reaching the man standing among the rocks. The wrecked vehicle was nearby being pummeled by the waves.

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The heavily damaged van was partially submerged and bobbing in the surf, crashing into the base of the cliff.

van crashed
(Credit: KPIX)
van crashed
(Credit: KPIX)

A Coast Guard helicopter searched nearby waters for possibly more victims. It was not immediately known if there were any other passengers in the car.

Rescue teams from San Mateo County, the CHP And the Coast Guard assisted in the rescue.

The highway was reduced to one-way traffic as a result of the incident.

The area is about 15 miles south of San Francisco.

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