In a harrowing ordeal, a man who found himself trapped in a narrow crevasse on a rocky cliff in San Diego was rescued by emergency crews on Friday morning. The unidentified man had been stuck from the waist down in a hole measuring 12 to 18 inches. The hours-long operation had to be halted overnight due to a rising tide, but the man was eventually airlifted to safety.

The incident unfolded when two observant teenagers passing by the area near Orchard Street and Cable Street heard desperate cries for help around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday. The quick-thinking teens immediately dialed 911, prompting a swift response from the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD).

The SDFD's technical rescue team, in conjunction with Chula Vista Fire Department's Trench Rescue Technicians, tirelessly worked to extricate the man from the crevasse. However, as the tide began to surge, forcing a dangerous situation, the operation had to be temporarily suspended, according to the SDFD.

Throughout the night, the trapped man was provided with electrolytes, hot packs, and blankets to ensure his well-being. In the early hours of Friday morning, a specialized team of volunteer rescuers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, skilled in cave rescues, arrived at the scene to lend their expertise.

However, their efforts were further complicated by intermittent rain and gusty winds, hampering the rescue operation. Frequent bursts of lightning and thunder also added to the challenges faced by the rescue crews, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Operations resumed at 9 a.m., and after two grueling hours, the man was successfully freed from the crevasse. He was carefully airlifted utilizing a Stokes basket and had his injured right ankle secured with a bandage. The man was then transferred to a stretcher and transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.

"Drowning was a major concern for us last night," expressed Dan Eddy, the SDFD's deputy chief of operations, to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Eddy shared that consultations with lifeguards and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were conducted to monitor the tide levels. While the surf did not reach a height that would submerge the man's head, water did fill the cavity beneath him.

The circumstances leading to the man's entrapment remain unclear, as the SDFD stated they were still unable to determine how he ended up in the crevasse or how long he had been stuck. Speculations have surfaced that the man intentionally sought shelter within the cave, but Eddy cautioned that these reports could not be verified.

The successful rescue operation serves as a testament to the bravery and skill of the emergency responders involved, who overcame treacherous conditions to save the trapped man's life.