THE US coast guard was forced to rescue a 60-year-old man whose goat had kicked him off a Puerto Rican mountainside.

The man, who has not been identified, fell about 30 metres down the mountain in Yauco, according to a Coast Guard statement.

Yauco Police requested the help of the Coast Guard's helicopter so they could lift the man to safety.

"Our junior co-pilot did an outstanding job working with an experienced flight mechanic and rescue swimmer to maneuver the helicopter in close proximity to the steep terrain in order to complete this demanding rescue," Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter Lt. Commander Patrick Dill said in the statement.

The man was flown to a baseball field for assessment and then driven by ambulance to hospital for multiple injuries sustained in the fall.

US ABC News says it is unclear what happened to the goat.



