The swimmer rescued after getting stuck on the side of treacherous San Francisco cliff explained how she ended up dangling from the jagged rocks.
Maxime Rancourt said she decided to “have a cold plunge” in the dangerous waters of Ocean Beach when a violent tide pulled her out to sea.
“I was looking at the waves and said they are so beautiful. I’m a good swimmer, but I don’t usually swim there,” she told ABC 7, noting that the current swept her out about 50 meters from shore.
“The current was extreme. I jumped and grabbed the rock to stay there, and the water was still coming at me,” she continued.
“Everything went so fast. I was on the rock and started climbing from left to right and then I realized that it wasn’t a good idea, but it was the idea to save myself in the moment.”
Aerial video showed Rancourt clinging to the side of the cliff, gripping rocks about 70 feet from the top and high above the craggy coast. A bystander called 911 and fire crews arrived at the scene.
San Francisco Fire Department responders were seen dropping down a cable for Rancourt to secure herself before a firefighter rappelled down to reach her.
When asked if she had a message for the 911 caller, she told ABC 7: “I want to say — thank you so much. Because I now have a future because of this person.”
“I thought about it. My destiny was gone in one minute.”
