Nail-biting moment hiker hangs off edge of cliff

The nail-biting moment where a hiker hung off the edge of a California cliff before being rescued was captured in dramatic video footage.

A rescue operation was swiftly prompted after a stranded man was heard yelling for help as he clung to the side of a cliff and struggled to maintain his grip at San Francisco's Baker Beach shortly before 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

In the heart-pounding footage released by the California Highway Patrol, a crew member is captured being lowered from an air operations helicopter as waves rolled in and out underneath him.

As he quickly descended downwards, the distressed man was captured in video as he clung on with both hands to the side of an enormous cliff - not daring to move an inch - as crashing waves and massive rock structures lingered hundreds of feet beneath him.

Lieutenant Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department told USA Today that it is unknown whether the man had climbed up from the beach or down from the trail before landing himself in the terrifying situation.

The video then showed the crew member securing the man before they were hoisted back into the air and slowly moved over to a sandy beach - all while the man was safely in the arms of his rescuer.

The hiker was successfully lowered on to the beach below where he was evaluated by paramedics and confirmed to be totally unharmed - all while the crew member was heaved back up into the air and into the helicopter.

'He was very appreciative and thanked us for helping him,' Elias added.