Watch heartstopping moment screaming man clings for his life to CLIFF FACE before helicopter swoops in for daring rescue

THIS is the heart-stopping moment a screaming man clings for his life on a cliff face before a helicopter swoops in for a daring rescue.

It is thought that he was hiking above a beach in San Francisco when he slipped and fell before managing to clutch onto the rockface.

Dramatic footage shows the operation on November 17.

The clip looks down on the rescuer as he quickly lowers himself on a winch to reach the stranded man.

In an efficient operation, the victim is grabbed and safely taken off of the cliff face following a timely 911 call from a bystander.

The chopper then flies away from the danger, with the pair seen soaring above the sea like something out of an action movie to reach dry land.

The incident took place above Baker Beach shortly before 1pm.

The rescue mission was carried out by CHP Golden Gate Division Air Operations Unit in collaboration with the fire department.

San Francisco Fire Department (SSFD) spokesperson Lt. Mariano Elias said: "He was very appreciative and thanked us for helping him."

It has not yet been released why the man was on the cliff in the first place.

A firefighter on the scene told local media that he was hiking away from a marked trail when he slipped and fell down.

However, Marino commented that it was not known to him how the man ended up in the perilous position.

He said it was not known if the person "had climbed up from the beach or down from the trail" but that he was safely rescued and "hoisted to the beach."

The firefighter's account can therefore only be considered speculation.

It is currently unclear how long the man was stuck to the cliff for, and who the bystander was that called 911.

The man managed to survive the scrape uninjured and refused medical attention on the scene.

The rescue video was posted to CHP's Facebook page to a flurry of congratulatory comments.

One comment read; "Great job guys."

Another said: Thanks for serving our community."

One commenter was there to witness the rescue.

She said: "Great work!

"My girls and I were there and saw the brave heroes in action!"

HEROIC HIKER RESCUE

In July, rescuers carried out a similarly impressive aerial mission, this time saving a blind man and his guide dog.

Bing Olbum, 55, and his dog were hiking with a friend in Oregon when they became stranded.

On July 3, the unidentified hiker and his friend took to the Rogue River Trail.

The hiker's friend noticed signs of heat exhaustion on July 6.

He tried to call the emergency services for help, but a lack of cell service forced him to find another way.

Leaving the hiker and his dog with food and water, the friend walked to Gold Beach to call 911.

However, despite best efforts, help could not arrive immediately given the remote location of the area where the blind hiker was waiting.

It was not until July 8 that the US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest could rescue the man and his dog.