A man who wanted to be as romantic as possible climbed a rock to propose to his girlfriend but things didn't go quite as planned.
Michael Banks had to be rescued after being stranded on a ledge some 80 off the ground on Morro Rock
Michael Banks, a California man climbed up a rock to ask for his girlfriend's hand in marriage but had to ask fire officials, too, for a hand, after he got stuck and couldn't get down.
Banks, 27, scaled 600-foot Morro Rock just off California's Central Coast early Thursday morning to propose to his girlfriend, who was watching via FaceTime video.
The good news: Banks' girlfriend said yes, according to Morro Bay fire Captain Todd Gailey.
The bad news: Banks got stuck, and had to be plucked by helicopter for a tricky, post-proposal flight to safety.
A helicopter had to be called to rescue Banks, and Morro Bay Fire Department Captain Todd Gailey
was lowered by cable to pluck Banks and take him to safety
Banks 'took a different trail down, much steeper' and became stranded, Gailey said. 'He couldn't go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet dangling 80 feet off the ground.'
Rescuers called in a helicopter, and Gailey descended by cable to hoist Banks from the narrow ledge, with the rotors spinning near the cliff and ocean spray battering both men.
Climbing Morro Rock is banned - and those who do so anyway risk fines.City authorities said Banks would have to foot the bill for the rescue
Banks was calm for most of the ordeal, but 'a little unnerved' at that part, Gailey said.
Morro Rock is a landmark located just offshore from the community of Morro Bay. Climbing is banned but some go anyway and there have been several fatal falls over the years.
Typically when someone needs to be rescued they are ticketed, Gailey said. City authorities said Banks, who was unharmed, would have to foot the bill for the rescue.
Despite the mishap, Banks's cliffhanger proposal was a success: his girlfriend said yes, according to the fire officials who rescued him
'[Banks] will be billed for the chopper ride and other related costs,' the City of Morro Bay said in a statement to ABC News
According to Gailey, Banks said nothing during the rescue about any second thoughts on his choice of setting for the proposal.
However, the fire captain said others should consider a place 'where you're not in danger of falling off a cliff.'