Putnam County Rescue Squad warning hikers to remain on established trails following a Saturday night operation to save three people stranded on a steep rock face at Bee Rock.
Information Officer Mike Herrick said the initial emergency call reported only one person clinging to the edge of a drop before responders discovered two additional victims and several bystanders. Herrick said the hikers became trapped after turning off a known trail and sliding down a slanted rock face they encountered while exploring the unfamiliar terrain.
“When somebody goes off of the trails, even though Bee Rock, for instance, they don’t have necessarily marked trails, but they are established trails that those are relatively safe,” Herrick said. “But when you go off of those, you’re literally stepping off into the unknown, especially if you’re not from the area.”
Herrick said Monterey manages the safety measures and signage for the natural area. He said balancing the implementation of new precautions with the preservation of the location’s original state remains a challenge for officials.
“Anytime an incident happens, we all look at ways to improve, doesn’t matter where an incident has occurred,” Herrick said. “And so there’s always room for improvement everywhere, but you also don’t want to take away from the natural beauty of these nature areas. So that’s a difficult balance.”
Herrick said the best thing bystanders who hear calls for help should do is establish communication from a distance rather than trying to reach the victims themselves.
“If they encounter someone on a bluff, just try to establish some sort of communication from a safe location or a safe distance,” Herrick said. “Do not try to get access to them, because then you may add to the number of people needing assistance.”
Herrick said visitors should prepare for the terrain by wearing secure footwear and bringing plenty of water. He said the most important safety rule for families is to stay on solid ground and avoid the edges of rock faces.