The Coast News Group
One man, far right, is helped to a stretcher after being rescued off a bluff near E Street in Encinitas. Two adult males were taken to Scripps La Jolla Trauma Center on Wednesday afternoon. The man and his friend, who had fallen 75 to 100 feet down to the beach below, apparently were playing Pokémon GO. Photo by Tony Cagala
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Two men fall off Encinitas bluff playing Pokémon GO game

ENCINITAS — Two men were taken to Scripps La Jolla Trauma Center after Encinitas lifeguards and firefighters rescued one man off of a bluff around E Street and another man who had fallen 75 to 100 feet down to the beach below.

Both have sustained moderate injuries, according to a press release.

Emergency crews and lifeguards discovered the first man on the beach shortly after 1 p.m. and were tending to him when they spotted the second man on the side of the bluff, according to Joint Fire Management Services Battalion Chief Robbie Ford.

According to a press release, Sheriff’s deputies said the two males were playing Pokémon GO on their cell phones, when they went over the side to retrieve “prizes.”

Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game played on cell phones. The game mixes real world images captured through the phone’s camera and displays computer generated monsters on the screen in real time for the user to “capture.”

The one man on the bluff was rescued by firefighters using ropes and harnesses and pulled to the top. No firefighters were injured in the bluff side rescue.

Two engines, a fire truck, two medic units, lifeguards and a battalion chief responded to the scene.

The ages of the men are not yet known.

Nintendo released Pokémon GO as a free application for cell phones earlier this month. The game has quickly become the source of other accidents, including car crashes, falling — even allegedly being used in an armed robbery in Missouri, according to a report.

19 comments

Liam Bean July 15, 2016 at 4:21 am

Just a minor correction. As far as I can determine, Nintendo is not involved. Pokémon GO is put out by Niantic, Inc.

DG July 15, 2016 at 3:55 am

Game must’ve been created by ISIL to kill the rest of the world 1 Pokemon at a time….lol

Jeff Blankfort July 14, 2016 at 11:05 pm

This is a novel way to get rid of excess population.

Sandra Shoop July 14, 2016 at 5:56 pm

Stupid is as stupid does….

Jon July 14, 2016 at 4:59 pm

People hurting themselves by not using common sense happens a billion times a day. What I dont like is the fact that this app creates a huge chance for those people to get other people hurt by not paying attention. The idea of being killed by some idiot trying to catch pokemon while driving is just…ugh

GoFish July 14, 2016 at 4:18 pm

Another attempt by Google to put shit in our face we don’t need to be better people, just to make us bigger idiots.

Ellen K July 14, 2016 at 2:56 pm

Remember the good old days when we just worried about people texting and driving? Folks-IT’S A GAME.

Winter July 14, 2016 at 1:37 pm

Dude’s brought it on themselves. Niantic specifically has a “stay aware of your surroundings” splash screen every time the app comes on. If you are so DUMB about the out doors that you can’t keep yourself away from cliffs… You don’t need to be playing it!!

earl July 14, 2016 at 11:17 am

Arent they both Adults???

Grown Up July 14, 2016 at 8:26 am

“The ages of the men are not yet known.”

They’re nine or ten. I don’t care what their chronological ages are. And you need to be more judicious with your use of the word “men”.

Some Guy July 14, 2016 at 4:24 am

Pokemon GO was not released by Nintendo. It was released by Niantic, a company formerly owned by Google. Nintendo was not involved with the game’s development other than a partial ownership of the IP that was used.

Cykosis July 15, 2016 at 5:31 am

Thank God we got that straight..

Nate N. July 14, 2016 at 1:28 am

But the real question: What team were they?

Sounds like a real Team Valor move.

Linda July 14, 2016 at 1:54 pm

LOL. You took the words right out of my mouth!

Wrangle Surfboard July 14, 2016 at 1:18 am

I will never answer a survey to read an article

Lulu Persil July 13, 2016 at 10:41 pm

It’s dangerous to give humans anything too advanced for them. I’m shocked that there haven’t been fights and worse. :( Pray THAT doesn’t happen! How can you turn an awesome game into a literally dangerous quest? I’m glad the two men who fell are not seriously injured, and I hope that everyone exercises good common sense and stays safe.

Team Rocket July 13, 2016 at 8:47 pm

Looks like team rockets blasting off again!

Warnee July 13, 2016 at 8:47 pm

Natural selection?

Ash Ketchum July 13, 2016 at 6:44 pm

my guess gor the ages of the adult males playing pokemon are 28 and 30

Comments are closed.