California Man Dead After Falling 300 Feet Off Cliff While Hiking with Wife Along Oregon Coast

Richard Ehrhart, 69, got separated from his wife while they were hiking near Natural Bridges when he fell, authorities said

• Richard Ehrhart died after falling 300 feet from a coastal trail in Oregon on April 21, authorities said

• The 69-year-old man, of California, became separated from his wife while they were hiking

• A passing hiker, who spotted the man's body on the rocks below, called 911

A 69-year-old California man died after falling more than 300 feet from a coastal trail in Oregon over the weekend.

The Curry County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim in a Facebook post as Richard Ehrhart, of San Jose.

Ehrhart was hiking the trail near Natural Bridges, about 12 miles north of Brookings, Oregon, when the accident occurred on Sunday, April 21, around 2:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.

Related: California Mom Falls 140 Feet Off Cliff While Hiking with Husband and Child in Arizona

The victim and his wife, Susan Kimura, had become separated while on the trail. Kimura then returned to their car and did not know that her husband had fallen, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies and an Oregon state trooper arrived on the scene, the department noted, after receiving a 911 call from a person who had been hiking the trail and saw Ehrhart’s body on the rocks below.

A search team with the sheriff’s office rappelled down the steep terrain to retrieve Ehrhart’s body, while a chaplain was called to notify Kimura about the accident, authorities said.

Related: Recent College Grad, 23, Dead After Falling 50 Feet from California Cliff: 'Rest Easy'

Sheriff John Ward told McClatchy News that Ehrhart had fallen approximately 300 to 350 feet.

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The Oregon State Police is now leading an investigation and has provided the information to the Curry County District Attorney, the sheriff’s office said.

Related: Calif. Couple Sues Hyatt Hotels After Toddler Fell to His Death Through Window at Mexico Resort

It was not immediately clear which trail the husband and wife were hiking. A popular trail to one ocean viewpoint is an out-and-back hike of less than 15 minutes, according to AllTrails.

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