A dramatic rescue unfolded last week near Steven’s Pass in Washington state, and the whole ordeal was captured on video. The footage, now released by officials, shows how wearable technology played a key role in saving injured skiers stranded in the backcountry.
It all started when the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office received an SOS alert from an Apple Watch. The alert came from a skier who had taken a terrifying fall of about 1,000 feet. The skier, whose name has not been disclosed, had suffered a serious leg injury and needed immediate help. Acting on the alert, the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit was dispatched to the scene just as daylight was fading.
The video captures the tense moments as the rescue helicopter approaches the remote location. On the ground, a friend of the injured skier can be seen frantically waving to get the crew’s attention. The rescuers didn’t waste a moment. One of them was lowered from the helicopter to assess the situation, and soon the injured skier was carefully secured to a line and hoisted into the air.
But the mission wasn’t over yet. As the team worked to evacuate the first skier, they realized there was another person in trouble. A second skier, also injured, had a knee injury and couldn’t walk. The team made the decision to airlift all three skiers to safety.
The video captures every step of the rescue, from the desperate waves of the skier’s friend to the final moments when the helicopter lifted everyone off the mountain. It’s a remarkable reminder of how technology, teamwork, and quick action can make a life-or-death difference in the wilderness.
