Re: One Visitor Dies Point Reyes, Second Injured When Overlook Collapses

On the evening of Saturday, March 21st, a portion of the land at the Arch Rock overlook at Point Reyes National Seashore collapsed into the ocean approximately 70 feet below.

A man and a woman, both from San Francisco, fell during the collapse. Both were extricated by emergency personnel and flown by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office helicopter to a landing zone in Bear Valley for transfer to an air ambulance helicopter. Upon arrival in Bear Valley, the woman was pronounced dead by emergency personnel on scene. The man was transported by Reach 3 Air ambulance to the local hospital for treatment.

Following the collapse, numerous bystanders took great risks and made significant efforts to report the incident and to reach, stabilize and comfort the victims on the shoreline while waiting for rescue personnel to arrive.

Rangers are leading the investigation with assistance from the Marin County Sheriff's Office Coroner Division. Rangers and personnel from the Marin County Fire Department, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Coast Guard worked closely together during the emergency response and management of this incident.

The Arch Rock trail has been closed until further notice. The Arch Rock area, at the terminus of the Bear Valley Trail, is a very popular destination visited by thousands each year.

Thanks for sharing the info. I learnt about this the next day and also came to know that another group of 8-10 people from a different meetup group was there at the exact spot, on top of arch rock, till 4 pm and this accident happened around 5:55pm. In hind sight, I believe there should have been some signage near the Arch Rock or the whole section should have been barricaded. The signage at the TH and ranger station is not easily visible to everyone, especially as people who go to such places regularly end up assuming things, at least the larger group that I mentioned did not see this signage.