Crime & Safety

Man Jumps From Cliffs Near Point Vicente

Fire officials say they're surprised man survived 90-foot fall onto rocks. He's in critical condition.

The husband of a missing Lomita woman is in critical condition after reportedly leaping off cliffs near Point Vicente this morning.

David Viens, the husband of a Lomita woman missing for about 16 months, was rescued by fire and sheriff's deputies just after 9 a.m. after falling nearly 90 feet.

Viens was flown to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

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Fire Capt. David Avila, one of the responders, said Viens was arguing with his girlfriend at the top of the cliff before he jumped.

"Apparently he took his shirt off for some reason and pushed her away and then jumped," he said.

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Avila arrived on the scene after Viens jumped and said he's surprised the man survived.

"For him to not hit his head in a dramatic fashion and crush his skull is pretty amazing," he said.

Viens landed on the rocks, probably also hitting bushes on the way down, Avila said. Viens' fall was "not (a) totally straight down vertical shot," he said.

"He was moving around a little bit," Avila said. (I'm) still very surprised that he was alive."

Viens' girlfriend was taken into custody, Avila said.


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