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California man dies after fall while hiking along southern Oregon Coast

Richard Ehrhart, 69, had been hiking with his wife when they were separated on the trail. His wife returned to their car, not knowing that her husband had fallen.
Credit: Curry County Sheriff's Office
A member of The Curry County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team rappelling down to retrieve the body of Richard Ehrhart, 69, from San Jose, CA.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A man is dead after falling about 300 feet while hiking along Oregon's southern coast on Sunday, according to the Curry County Sheriff's Office

CCSO identified the man as Richard Ehrhart, 69, from San Jose, California. 

Around 2:35, deputies responded to reports that a hiker fell on the coastal trail near the famous Natural Bridges, about 12 miles north of Brookings. 

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"The caller relayed that he had seen a person on the rocks below him that appeared to be deceased," the Curry County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. 

When CCSO Search and Rescue arrived, two members of the team rappelled down to the man, calling for additional help due to the rocky and steep terrain. A few members from Cape Ferello and the Brookings Fire Department arrived, along with an officer from the U.S. Forest Service, to help carry Erhart's body to the parking lot. 

Ehrhart had been hiking with his wife, Susan Kimura, and they were separated on the trail. His wife returned to their car, not knowing that her husband had fallen, CCSO said.

Credit: The Curry County Sheriff’s Office
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team rappelling 300 feet to retrieve Richard Ehrhart, 69, who was found dead after falling.

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