State Park Ranger

Department of Parks and Recreation

4/1/1977

Special Act Award (Gold)

On April 1, 1977, State Park Ranger Eric Walbergh responded to a traffic accident report on Highway 1 at Point Mugu Rock in Ventura County. When he arrived, he saw a vehicle had gone over a 40-foot cliff and was being pounded into the rocks by the heavy surf. Ranger Walbergh grabbed an ax and pry bar from his vehicle before descending the cliff with a Sheriff’s deputy. He and deputy entered the surf and with the assistance of four other people, attempted to rescue a person trapped in the vehicle. Ocean waves continually washed over the vehicle, bouncing it around the rocks and knocking the rescuers down. When Ranger Walbergh realized the doors were jammed and they might not be able to complete the rescue, he began chopping away at the metal holding the door hinge. Through a combined effort and working under extremely hazardous conditions, the six men completed the rescue using the door that Ranger Walbergh had loosened.