UPDATE: Search efforts suspended for missing Marina teen

UPDATE: 3/11/2016 7:35 AM: The Monterey County Search and Rescue Team has suspended search efforts for missing Marina teen, Jaime Fernandez. Authorities made the decision last night after an exhaustive search didn’t turn up any leads. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says they could potentially go back and search for the 17-year-old if they discover any new leads.

Authorities say Fernandez and his cousin were hiking together on Wednesday when for some reason, Fernandez fell from a cliff, dropping 150-feet.

UPDATE 3/10/201 6:10 PM: By land, by air and by sea – after more than a day of searching on Thursday, there’s still no sign of Jaime Fernandez, 17, the Marina teen who fell off a cliff in Big Sur. Search and Rescue crews plan to continue the search, but it could be difficult with stormy weather on the way.

“They were just hiking a little bit up the hill and they stood on some rocks and he slipped under and went down, down the cliff,” described Jaime Fernandez Sr.

A parent’s worst nightmare is playing out near Rocky Point Restaurant in Big Sur. Authorities say Fernandez and his cousin were hiking together on Wednesday when for some reason, Fernandez fell from a cliff, dropping 150-feet. When deputies arrived on the scene, they say Fernandez was at the bottom of the cliff.

“They tried to contact the male from the roadway, he was unresponsive, and they weren’t able to make any verbal contact with him so they immediately called out Search and Rescue,” said Commander John Thornburg.

By the time deputies got to the bottom of the cliff, they say Fernandez was gone, presumably swept out to sea. The Monterey County Search and Rescue team, a California Highway Patrol helicopter and the County’s Dive Team were deployed, however it was too dangerous for swimmers to go into the water.

“They will try to go down again,” Thornburg said. “More than likely than not, they will send somebody down, do a visual of the ocean, see what the conditions are like, they will more likely than not try to dive again. Whether that’s tomorrow or the next day because of the storms coming in, it’s hard to say.”

Family and friends are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. Fernandez’s father has a warning for kids who visit the popular spot.

“They come here to hang out and they do not realize how dangerous it is because one slip and you lose your life and that’s exactly what happened to my son. So, I advise to all the kids that come here, be more than careful and stay away from the edge,” Fernandez said.

This is the second search effort in the area in the last six weeks. In January, two people went missing after BASE jumping off the Bixby Bridge. The body of one jumper, Rami Kajala, was later found. Katie Connell is still missing and presumed drowned.

UPDATE 3/10/2016 2:48PM: Deputies say a 17-year-old from Marina is presumed dead after falling down a 150 foot cliff Wednesday in Big Sur.

The teen’s father said his son Jaime Fernandez was hiking with his cousin when he slipped.

UPDATE 3/10/2016 12:10 PM: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said a 17-year-old boy is missing after slipping off a cliff in Big Sur Wednesday evening.

KION spoke with Jaime Fernandez’ father who said his son went missing around 4:45 p.m. after he slipped during a hike with his cousin near Rock Point Restaurant. The Sheriff’s Office said the Fernandez family is from Marina.

The Monterey County Search and Rescue Team was out looking for him Thursday from a boat, but the search has since been called off because they said the water is too dangerous right now.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter may be sent out to search the coastline.

Fernandez’ father said they live locally and his son was getting ready to graduate from high school.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this story at 5 & 6.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says their search and rescue team is trying to find a 17-year-old who fell off a cliff near Rocky Point Restaurant in Big Sur Wednesday.

The dive team is also on scene.

KION has a crew on the way. This story will be updated as soon as we get more information.