Amazing moment California rescuers save stranded hiker clinging to the edge of a CLIFF from drowning as tide began to rise

A man was rescued after falling 120 feet down a cliff on Sunday, clinging for dear life.

In a Facebook post, Sonoma County Sheriff's confirmed that the Southern Marine Fire Department and Sonoma County Sheriff's Office lifted the hiker off a cliff near the Battery Alexander trail in the Marin Headlands.

'The subject was approximately 50-60 feet down from the trail and was clinging to the gravel rock face,' the post read. 'Henry-1 arrived and observed the subject through the helicopter's thermal imaging camera. 

'Henry-1 landed nearby and the helicopter was configured for a long line rescue. The Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) was flown to the victim and placed him into a rescue device.   

'The victim and TFO were flown to the top of the cliff where the victim was delivered to fire personnel for medical evaluation.' 

A man was rescued after falling 120 feet down a cliff Sunday, clinging for dear life

Sonoma County Sheriff's confirmed that rescue teams lifted the hiker off a cliff near the Battery Alexander trail in the Marin Headlands

The hiker was approximately 50 to 60 feet down from the trail and was clinging to the gravel rock face, per the sheriff's office

The video posted on Facebook shows the rescue crew being brought down from the helicopter, seizing the man and hauling him into the aircraft.

Battalion Chief of Southern Marine Fire Jason Golden told local ABC affiliate KGO that a rescue helicopter was the most efficient and safest way to save the hiker as the 'tide was coming up.'

'It was just a much faster operation to use a helicopter,' Golden said. 'And the individual was starting to lose their grip.'

Golden said after the hiker fell down the cliff, he attempted to climb back to the top, but to no avail.

'The rescuer afterwards speaking with him said that was one of the most precarious rescues because of how the victim was grabbing on and how quickly they were to letting go,' Golden said.

The Battery Alexander trail, which has steep ocean cliffs, is the most populated this time of year because of the warm weather.

But not everyone is as lucky as the rescued hiker.

Rescue teams landed nearby and the helicopter was configured for a long line rescue

The Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) was flown to the victim and placed him into a rescue device.

The victim and TFO were flown to the top of the cliff where the victim was delivered to fire personnel for medical evaluation

Battalion Chief of Southern Marine Fire said that a rescue helicopter was the most efficient and safest way to save the hiker

Golden said after the hiker fell down the cliff, he attempted to climb back to the top, but to no avail

Golden warns visitors to stay away from the cliff's edge when they visit the trail.

'Unfortunately we lose probably one to two people falling off these cliffs,' he said. 

'Please be very careful when you get to the cliffs. Don't go up close to the edge and please don't try and climb up.'