A peaceful Saturday hike along the Oregon coast turned into a tense rescue operation when multiple teenagers ended up in dangerous positions on the steep cliffs at God’s Thumb in Lincoln City.
According to the Lincoln City Police Department, the incident unfolded on the afternoon of March 14 after reports came in that as many as three people may have gone over the north face of the popular coastal viewpoint near Roads End.
Given the steep terrain and limited access from above, authorities quickly deployed the department’s drone team to search the rugged cliffside below. The aerial view helped rescuers spot a teenager stranded roughly halfway down the rocky face of the cliff.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Lincoln City Police, the U.S. Coast Guard Northwest, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, and the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team, which includes members from several nearby fire departments.
With few options for a ground rescue, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter crew to assist. The aircraft carefully positioned itself above the cliff while a rescue hoist was lowered to reach the stranded teen. The teenager was successfully lifted to safety from the cliffside.
While scanning the area, the drone team also located two additional teenagers standing dangerously close to the cliff’s edge. They had wandered off established trails and were looking over the steep drop. Responders were able to guide them away from the edge and back to safer ground before another emergency could unfold.
Officials say the incident serves as an important reminder about the hazards of Oregon’s coastal cliffs, particularly at popular viewpoints like God’s Thumb. While the views can be spectacular, the terrain is often unstable and deceptive.
Loose rocks, crumbling soil, and vegetation that cannot support weight make the edges especially dangerous. Authorities urge visitors to stay on marked trails, maintain a safe distance from cliff edges, and never rely on trees, bushes, or loose ground for support.
The area around Roads End and God’s Thumb has seen multiple rescues in recent years. In July 2025, two teenagers became stranded on nearby cliffs during a similar incident. During that rescue attempt, a firefighter also became stuck on the cliff, requiring a Coast Guard helicopter to hoist all three people to safety.
Emergency crews say situations like these are becoming increasingly common as more visitors explore the Oregon coast’s dramatic viewpoints.
For those heading out to hike the area, the message from rescuers is simple: the views are incredible, but they’re never worth risking your life.
Sometimes the best way to enjoy Oregon’s coastline is simply to take a step back from the edge.
