Emergency Helicopter Landing Prompts Highway 1 Closure

Bay City News -- Emergency personnel closed state Highway 1 in San Mateo County on Saturday afternoon after a man in physical distress was spotted near Pescadero Beach.

Witnesses spotted a vehicle about 100 yards over a cliff near Highway 1 and Pescadero Beach at about 3 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Anderson said.

Authorities closed the highway in both directions at about 3:40 p.m. while a helicopter landed and rescued the unidentified male who was initially spotted on the beach, Anderson said.

Traffic was controlled through one lane on Highway 1 near the scene until about 6:25 p.m. while the vehicle was towed and officers investigated the beach, according to the CHP.

The victim who was found on the beach may have been significantly injured or died for unknown reasons, said an employee at the company that towed the victim's vehicle from the highway.

The employee, who didn't wish to be named, said the CHP instructed the company to keep others away from the vehicle until officers had a chance to conduct an investigation.