MCKINLEYVILLE— On the evening of July 20, 2026, a California State Parks lifeguard notified a Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay helicopter crew that a 13-year-old boy was stranded on a cliff at Sue-Meg State Park and was in need of rescue.

The teen was stranded on a cliff ledge on the south side of Agate Beach, approximately 200 feet above the shoreline. The teen had been climbing recreationally and was unable to descend.

California State Parks personnel remained on scene while local fire and rescue units responded. Sector Humboldt Bay assumed coordination of the rescue and launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew.

The aircrew arrived on scene, coordinated with ground responders and safely hoisted the teen from the cliff. Due to limited landing areas within the park, the helicopter transported the teen to Air Station Humboldt Bay. No injuries were reported.

The teen was later reunited with his parents through coordination between CAL FIRE and California State Parks.

“This was a positive outcome thanks to the combined efforts of first responders and rescue teams.  We are glad to hear the teen is safe and thank the California State Parks lifeguard and fellow responders for assisting in the safe recovery,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.