Arcata Firefighters Rescue Man Who Fell 70 Feet From Top of the World Last Night

Arcata Fire packing out the injured man.

Arcata Fire packing out the injured man. [All photos from Arcata Fire]

Last night, a 26-year-old McKinleyville man fell 70 feet from the popular hiking spot, Top of the World which is located off of Fickle Hill Road. Arcata Fire was called out about 11:20 p.m. Friday and they worked several hours to safely pack the man out of the area.

According to scanner reports from last night, friends with the man when he fell called 911 and one met emergency personnel on the road in their vehicle with their lights flashing.

Arcata Fire’s Battalion 8201 was able to make access down the very steep trail and requested helicopter medical rescue but because of weather, the helicopters did not attempt the rescue.

The steep area that the rescuers had to navigate.

The steep area that the rescuers had to navigate.

Arcata Fire reported on their Facebook page this morning, “It took all four on duty firefighters over three hours to complete the rescue.”

They further reported, “The man was transported to the hospital by Arcata Ambulance with moderate injuries. AFD thanks Samoa and Fieldbrook Fire for covering calls in Arcata Fire District while this rescue was being mitigated.”

Below is a video showing the area during the daylight:

Earlier Chapter: Report of Man Falling 50′ From Top of the World Sends Agencies to the Rescue

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37 Comments
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lizard
Guest
lizard
3 years ago

I’m glad he’s okay. Lucky guy.
That being said, people flocking to “Top of the World” (aka “The Rock” and “Edge of the World”) has been a safety concern for decades, especially to those of us who live on Fickle Hill and drive the road daily. Beyond the first 3 miles, the road has very narrow stretches and steep, tight curves. Intoxicated drivers, people unfamiliar with the road with no sense of how narrow it is and driving in the middle, speeders, etc. are problematic. It is particularly scary when new HSU students arrive in August and it becomes their newly discovered party spot. Any upper Fickle Hill resident, CHP or tow truck driver knows the traffic accidents associated with people driving to or from this spot. Please folks, be careful and aware.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  lizard

We always called it, “The end of the world.” Forgot all about it. Think that’s where Ill take my girl to purpose to her

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago

Kym- please pull that video. We don’t need to advertise and blow up local areas that are not fit for general consumption. Being in media you must understand how this works. People do not need to see this. If they know, if a friend brings them, if they find it – cool. But why tell the masses? The masses only crowd over and destroy everything…everything that is beautiful and special about our county.

I'm a local that doesn't agree with your opinion
Guest
I'm a local that doesn't agree with your opinion
3 years ago
Reply to  Farce

Stop complaining about people wanting to hike. Seriously, get over yourselves. You don’t own the roads, you don’t own that spot. I get sick of locals who think they own a road just because the live on said road. Just like those who commented that the guy who got shot up on 36 last week deserved it for being there.

Local land owner.
Guest
3 years ago

The next kegger is in your living room, mmkay?

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Farce

IDK – it is like a dozen other places in that area and I think HSU already used the place in a brochure. I thought it might be a place to go until I looked at the video.

Green Diamond
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

We have asked HSU to remove the Top of the World photo from list of places to visit. This is on Green Diamond property and is not open to the public. There is no formal trail and as evidenced by the accident on Friday night is not safe access area. Thanks, Green Diamond

Green Diamond Out Of Humboldt County Now
Guest
Green Diamond Out Of Humboldt County Now
3 years ago
Reply to  Green Diamond

More of Green Diamond’s stolen land? Green Diamond out of Humboldt!

Local land owner.
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

What’s a little trespassing between friends? Green Diamond’s got deep pockets, time to sue!

JustWantToHeartheEndoftheStory
Guest
JustWantToHeartheEndoftheStory
3 years ago
Reply to  Farce

Locals? Are you an HSU hanger on? A holier than thou whiner? Most of those who complain about crowding and “outsiders” are transplants from SoCal or the Bay Area. Your post has a distinct whiff of elitism about it.

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
3 years ago

(Sighs) It’s already destroyed. Been that way for a long time.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
3 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

I haven’t been there since the early 90’s and it was a trash pit then. Bjork was a fitting listen.

Loren Waterman III
Guest
Loren Waterman III
3 years ago

It was me Loren Waterman III, very thankful for the guys out there that help I’d like to smoke some tri-tip or something for them to show my gratitude, and if it wasn’t for one dude I don’t really know well and some dude I just met yesterday I probably would have froze to death before they found me so thank you guys too.

desmund james
Guest
desmund james
3 years ago

love you cuz glad ur okay

Juanita
Guest
Juanita
3 years ago

I hope you plan on making a SIGNIFICANT donation to the fire department.

NoBody
Guest
NoBody
3 years ago

Glad you’re ok.
Story?

Kyle Gildesgard
Guest
Kyle Gildesgard
3 years ago

Your welcome Loren just glad I was there and had the proper training.

Trashman
Guest
Trashman
3 years ago

Good man, owning it.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago

That must have been one HELL of a fall, bro! Haven’t been up there in 25 years! Just LOOKING over the edge made me dizzy.

Green Diamond
Guest
3 years ago

Glad to hear you were not seriously injured.

glad u are ok
Guest
glad u are ok
3 years ago

glad u are alright!! u might be the first to own up to anything like this! Good move! remember, medium rare on that tri tip!

Nick boazman
Guest
Nick boazman
3 years ago

Much love brother I’m glad Kyle and I wee there ….even tho this was the only bonding we got so far well hang out more soon ,just hopefully not in the edge of a cliff next time 😉

Martin
Guest
3 years ago

That man is just plain lucky to be alive. A big thank you to the four Arcata firefighters who performed the 2 hour rescue to get the man to safety. Well done fellas. You make us proud!!

Willie Bray
Guest
3 years ago

🕯🌳Are you sure didn’t jump or got pushed?

NoBody
Guest
NoBody
3 years ago
Reply to  Willie Bray

Here, hold my beer …

Willie Bray
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  NoBody

🕯🌳Who reported it?

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  NoBody

😂😂😂!

NoShitSherlock
Guest
NoShitSherlock
3 years ago
Reply to  Willie Bray

…and the winner is Willie!

Nick boazman
Guest
Nick boazman
3 years ago
Reply to  Willie Bray

How could you say that I was right next to him when it happened ….I am one of the (new) friends that was there and helped carry him down

Mountain Man
Guest
Mountain Man
3 years ago

So is this private property or not ? Directions please ? Do you park on the road ?

No trespassing
Guest
No trespassing
3 years ago

It’s private land land owner is now responseable for medical bills land owner is responsible for any fires accidents that trespassers may cause build a fence with electricity no trespass signs

4X4
Guest
4X4
3 years ago

It is private property owned by Green Diamond. They have been known to patrol it and call enforcement from time-to-time over the decades. They have also taken other measures to discourage trespassers but…

lizard
Guest
lizard
3 years ago

Private property, Greed, oops, Green Diamond Resource’s timberland, great view of their clearcutting of the Mad River watershed followed up by herbicides. Unfortunately, it has also been a popular place for folks to shot their guns, sometimes for hours. The ongoing noise impacted the closest neighbor, their horses and dogs so much they sold their place and moved.

Red
Guest
Red
3 years ago
Reply to  lizard

Obviously a great place to get rid of old tv’s and other crap too. Just look around at the bottom of the rock. I am sure the landowner appreciates it.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Red

It wasn’t obvious until you mentioned it. Way to go, Red!

Kim Webb
Guest
3 years ago

This whole area is being destroyed by ignorant people, leaving trash, and worse all over the beautiful parks and river areas. It makes me sick and angry. Some people don’t care about nature, just use, abuse, and go home. I hope they all go back to the city! My attitude is changing towards the Invaders. Wow, really? So much trash and poop with toilet paper stuck in it. I am the lady with the trash bags picking up after the pigs. We need large signs asking people not to ruin our landscape with their Filth. Plus , they don’t wear masks or social distance.