Big Sur road closure rescue Friday

BIG SUR, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Salinas police announced Monday that at approximately 11 a.m. on Friday, there was a search and rescue called in to the California State Parks Rangers for a man who fell while trying to cross Regent's Slide on southbound Highway 1.

The man was riding at 27.5 miles per hour on his bike, according to police, and had been warned not to try and travel on that stretch of road at 9:25 a.m. by a Papitch Construction crew member.

Police say that the man stopped two miles south of the road closure and asked the construction worker for some water. The construction worker advised the cyclist that the road was closed due to a rock slide, but the man said that he was going to try and pass anyway.

"The crew member also told him that if he gets caught by CHP in the closure he would be cited," wrote the Salinas police in a press release Monday. The construction worker also warned that "the road is not passable and if he attempted to cross he will probably die," according to police.

State Parks Ranger F. Bettencourt arrived on scene and drove to Regent's Slide about one hour later. "As they were looking across the slide they saw a backpack and a bloody arm, approximately 100 feet below them," wrote police. "Ranger Bettencourt requested search and rescue."

Police say that the cyclist was able to climb down to the beach and was then rescued by Ranger Bettencourt and Big Sur Fire.

The cyclist was treated by AMR for a laceration to his forearm and possible head trauma, according to police. He was also life-flighted to Natividad Medical Center and afterwards, charged for failing to obey a person directing traffic as well as traffic signs and signals.

Police say that the man also endangered the lives of rescue personnel and wants to remind the public that road closures are put in place for the safety of the public and working crews.

"It is against the law to drive, ride or walk past a ROAD CLOSED sign," said police.