Advertisement Morro Bay man was high on meth during marriage proposal, fire chief says Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A man who had to be rescued when he climbed Morro Rock in Morro Bay to propose to his girlfriend via cellphone video was found to be high on methamphetamine, authorities said Friday. Morro Bay Fire Chief Steve Knuckles said that 27-year-old Michael Banks was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine. Banks climbed to the top of the 600-foot landmark rock early Thursday to propose and he got stuck on the way down, Knuckles said.No one has spoken to the girlfriend. Knuckles said Friday that he didn't know if the marriage proposal was real, only that Banks told "several people" during the rescue that he had asked for her hand in marriage. Banks "took a different trail down, much steeper" and became stranded, said Capt. Todd Gailey. "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 a crew member descended by cable to hoist Banks from the narrow ledge. Banks was calm for most of the ordeal, but "a little unnerved" at that part, Gailey said. He was not hurt. About 4 p.m. Thursday Banks was arrested when witnesses reported he was acting erratically. Morro Rock is a 600-foot landmark 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.Banks will be charged for the chopper ride. Banks said nothing during the rescue about any second thoughts on his choice of setting for the proposal, Gailey said. However, the fire captain said others should consider a place "where you're not in danger of falling off a cliff." Banks was booked into jail and wasn't available for comment.