Three backcountry skiers were rescued near Stevens Pass in Washington state after one of their Apple Watches sent an SOS alert via satellite. The rescue took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, just before sunset. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office received the emergency alert and informed the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit.
The alert indicated that a skier had fallen about 1,000 feet and sustained a leg injury. Upon arriving at the location, the rescue team discovered that another skier had also been injured, falling roughly 500 feet and sustaining a twisted knee and broken wrist. The third skier was uninjured.
apple watch sends lifesaving SOS
Due to the remote location and challenging terrain, the rescue team decided to hoist the injured skiers to safety using a helicopter. Video footage provided by the King County Sheriff’s Office shows the dramatic rescue operation.
Sgt. Jason Stanley of the King County Sheriff’s Office credited the skiers’ survival to their use of modern technology, stating, “Without some sort of satellite communication device, this story could have a very different ending, a very tragic ending because of the temperatures that the skiers were skiing in and the distance they were away from any kind of civilization.
The rescue operation was made more difficult by the steep terrain, tall trees, and the onset of darkness. Deputy pilot Tony Mullinax of the King County Sheriff’s Office recalled, “It was really, really dark where we were going.”
Despite the challenges, all three skiers were successfully airlifted to a hospital in Seattle for treatment.
Deputy Mike McLeod of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which collaborated on the rescue, said, “They’re all hurting, but they’re all going to be just fine. It’ll just take some time.”
This incident highlights the crucial role that modern technology and inter-agency cooperation play in conducting successful rescues in remote areas.
Rashan is a seasoned technology journalist and visionary leader serving as the Editor-in-Chief of DevX.com, a leading online publication focused on software development, programming languages, and emerging technologies. With his deep expertise in the tech industry and her passion for empowering developers, Rashan has transformed DevX.com into a vibrant hub of knowledge and innovation. Reach out to Rashan at [email protected]
