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Stranded hikers rescued by life-saving little known iPhone feature

Home> News> US News

Published 12:02 29 Dec 2023 GMT

Stranded hikers rescued by life-saving little known iPhone feature

Hikers who were left stranded in Colorado were rescued thanks to an iPhone safety feature.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Stranded hikers were rescued by a life-saving iPhone feature that an awful lot of folks don't know a lot about.

When Apple CEO Tim Cook and co speak about all the new features coming to the latest iPhone every year, a lot of us switch off.

Of course, we all listen to some of the more interesting new additions, though the majority of us will likely be the first to admit we gloss over the safety features.

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However, those important safety features could come in handy one day, just ask a bunch of travellers who were left stranded in the Colorado snow during the festive season.

The group were stuck in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal, but thanks to their iPhone's SOS satellite feature, they were able to get help.

As per a press release obtained by People, the Gilpin County Dispatch Center received word from the iPhone Satellite Emergency Relay Center at 6.10pm on Monday.

The group had no cell phone service.
4X4 RESCUE

They heard that a Toyota Tacoma was stranded in the mountains of Gilpin County, not far from Denver.

Come 6.50pm, Gilpin County sheriffs contacted Colorado 4x4 Rescue Group and Recovery for assistance, who were dispatched to the area of the stranded vehicle at 8.15pm.

Come 9.40pm, the Colorado 4x4 group found the stranded vehicle, with all members of the group well despite being rather cold.

Colorado 4x4 Rescue's public information officer Kimi McBryde told local outlet KMGH: "They're like, 'Hey, stuck Tacoma. We don't know what's going on. We just know that people are stuck.

"So pro of the iPhone: we found out they needed help. Con, you don't necessarily get all the information."

The stranded group were saved.
4X4 RESCUE

As there was no cell phone service, the search and rescue team 'weren't sure how many people were out there', but the most important thing was that they were found safe.

According to Apple Support, the SOS satellite feature is available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Pro.

"Emergency SOS via satellite can help you connect with the emergency services under exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching the emergency services are available," the website states.

"If you call or text emergency services and can’t connect because you’re somewhere with no mobile and Wi-Fi coverage, your iPhone tries to connect you via satellite.

"To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. When you use a satellite connection, the experience is different than sending or receiving a message via mobile connection."

Featured Image Credit: 4X4 RESCUE/ Foundry

Topics: iPhone, US News, Apple

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

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