From the California Highway Patrol:

On October 5, 2018 at 1739 hours, Humboldt CHP Dispatch was advised of a traffic collision which occurred on SR-96 near the Humboldt/Siskiyou County line. The reporting party, 17 year old Rocky Robins of Willow Creek, advised he was a passenger in a vehicle which went over a cliff sometime between 230 AM and 5 AM. Robins indicated he was ejected from the vehicle and later made his way up to SR-96 where he obtained a ride from a passer by. Humboldt CHP Officers responded and the collision scene was located at Mile Post Marker (MPM) 43.43, approximately 1.6 miles south of the Humboldt/Siskiyou County line near Ikes Falls.

Emergency rescue personnel responded to the scene and located a deceased male outside of the vehicle, approximately 100’ from the Klamath River. Due to the steep terrain, remote location, rain and darkness emergency rescue personnel were unable to recover the deceased party.

CHP Officers remained on scene and on 10-06-2018, at approximately 8 AM, personnel with the Orleans Volunteer Fire Department (97-71 Rescue) launched a boat to assist in the recovery. The recovery of both the deceased party, and the vehicle, are ongoing at the time of this press release.

The deceased party’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is investigating this collision and working to confirm which party was the driver of the Honda at the time of the collision.

The CHP would like to remind motorists that with the transition into Fall, adverse weather conditions can be expected. Please allow additional travel time for trips. Please be aware that due to recent fires, rocks and other debris may suddenly appear in the roadway. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Road Conditions Hotline is always available for motorists to check the status of road conditions before they travel. Call 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623) to check those conditions.