Man who scaled 600-foot rock to propose to girlfriend had to be rescued

MORRO BAY, Calif. — As marriage proposals go, Michael Banks’ was a cliff-hanger.

Banks, 27, scaled 600-foot Morro Rock just off California’s Central Coast early Thursday to propose to his girlfriend, who was watching via cellphone video.

The good news: Banks’ girlfriend said yes, Morro Bay fire Capt. Todd Gailey said.

The bad news: Banks got stuck on the ledge and had to be plucked by helicopter for a tricky, post-proposal flight to safety.

Banks “took a different trail down, much steeper” and became stranded, Gailey said. “He couldn’t go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet dangling 80 feet off the ground.”

Rescuers called in a helicopter, and Gailey descended by cable to hoist Banks from the narrow ledge, with the rotors spinning near the cliff.

Banks said nothing during the rescue about any second thoughts on his choice of setting for the proposal, Gailey said.

However, the fire captain said others should consider a place “where you’re not in danger of falling off a cliff.”