Man rescued from Morro Rock after marriage proposal is arrested on drug charges

A man who made national headlines for having to be rescued from the cliffs of Morro Rock after proposing marriage to his girlfriend has been arrested on drug charges.

Michael Banks, 27, climbed the 600-foot Morro Rock early Thursday and asked his girlfriend, via the Facetime app, to marry him.

She said yes, Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney told the San Luis Obispo Tribune, but what happened next nearly ended their brief engagement.

Banks took a different, steeper path down the Central Coast mountain’s eastern face and became stranded on a small ledge, Kinney told the newspaper.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter flew to the scene about 8:30 a.m. and a treacherous rescue ensued, with the helicopter blades whipping close to the rock.

Morro Bay Fire Chief Steve Knuckles told the Associated Press on Friday that Banks acted strangely and was eventually arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno on Twitter.

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