In a dramatic Emergency SOS via satellite rescue, Apple’s service led to a helicopter snatching up four women trapped on a glacier by wildfires last week in British Columbia, according to a report.
“In this instance, their cellphone literally saved their lives,” said a rescue manager.
Canadian hikers escape death by fire and smoke thanks to Emergency SOS via Satellite
With wildfires burning in Canada’s Kootenay region, four women hiking and camping on a glacier became trapped and had to be helicoptered to safety last week after using Emergency SOS via satellite, CBC News reported. Launched in 2022 to help those without mobile network or Wi-Fi access call for help, the service comes free with iPhone 14 and 15 series smartphones.
The four women, stranded at their camp on the Macbeth Ice Fields, saw the wind pick up with fires nearby, according to search-and-rescue manager Mark Jennings-Bates.
“Embers were falling on their tent so they ran for their lives,” he said.
Luckily, the women used SOS via satellite to alert authorities. A search-and-rescue team flew through thick smoke with wildfires raging nearby to find the hikers. Smoke reduced visibility, making the rescue more difficult.
“It’s like a war zone,” the pilot said of the conditions. “We were very fortunate to get a helicopter in there, we nearly had to abandon the rescue attempt.”
Emergency SOS via satellite credited
Jennings-Bates said when the women sent a text message, it allowed the Emergency SOS via satellite rescue to happen. And it went unusually smoothly, too.
“We were just able to sneak over a ridge and found them exactly where the cellphone ping said they were, which is really unusual and very satisfying,” he said.
Thankfully, the B.C. hiking group was able to make it to a safe spot at the toe of the glacier, surrounded by rocks and next to an alpine lake, Jennings-Bates said.
“They would have been safe for a few days, frankly, and they were very well-prepared,” he added.
Importance of being prepared
Jennings-Bates called the dramatic Emergency SOS via satellite rescue a reminder to be prepared in the great outdoors. And that’s especially important during wildfire season.
“Have a plan, make sure people know that plan,” he said.
Everyone should heed that important message. With eight weeks of summer to go, drier and hotter conditions in western Canada and western United States have worsened wildfire seasons in recent years.
