A bicylist who attempted to cross a major Big Sur landslide on Friday morning fell more than 100 feet towards the ocean, suffering injuries and requiring a helicopter rescue to be airlifted to a hospital.
Cody Mortensen, a 28-year-old from the San Bernadino town of Lucerne Valley, was warned that there was no safe route through Regent’s Slide, according to California Highway Patrol. It is against the law to ride, drive or walk past a “Road Closed” sign.
The slide, triggered after fierce winter rains, is steep and lacks a trail. Located at post mile 27.5, it is still active. Video shot last month by Mark Readdie, director of Big Sur’s Big Creek Natural Reserve, shows dirt and rocks cascading into the sea.
As Mortensen approached the slide around 9:30 a.m., a construction worker told him that the road was not passable, “and if he attempted to cross it, he will probably die,” reported CHP. “Mortensen said he was going to try anyways.”
About one hour later, State Parks Ranger F. Bettencourt arrived on scene. Looking across the side, he saw a backpack and a bloody arm below them.
Mortensen, who survived the fall, abandoned his bicycle and climbed down to the beach, where he was rescued by Bettencourt and Big Sur Fire.
An eyewitness said he seemed confused and complained of head injury, according to Big Sur resident Kate Novoa. He spoke of falling on the slide, hitting his head and having a rock roll over his arm. He was treated for a laceration to his forearm and possible head trauma, then driven by ambulance to Post Ranch and airlifted by helicopter to Natividad Medical Center for his injuries.
Mortenson faces at least two charges: wanton disregard of failing to obey a person directing traffic and failing to obey the traffic signs and signals. He also endangered the lives of rescue personnel who had to traverse an active slide, said CHP.
The slide is one of three that were caused by winter storms. The other two, Paul’s Slide and Dolan Point, have been repaired and reopened.
It has turned the breathtaking coastal Highway 1 into two cul-de-sacs, accessible only from the north and east, preventing travelers from making the full drive along the world-renowned coast.
The closure has delivered hard times for businesses in the village of Big Sur, which relies on tourism from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and other Southern California cities.
Caltrans said it expects to reopen the section of highway affected by Regent’s Slide in the fall. Work has been delayed due to the danger and daily unpredictability at the site. Every day, workers check for new cracks above and below the working bench, according to Novoa. The “spider excavators” are cabled to bulldozers in case the hill collapses.
Road information and updates can be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.