Officials are crediting an Apple Watch with saving the lives of injured skiers near Stevens Pass in Washington state last week. An Apple Watch SOS alert from a backcountry skier was received by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday. The only information provided to rescuers was that the unidentified skier had fallen about 1,000 feet and sustained a leg injury. Newer iPhones can connect directly to satellites in emergencies, and authorities said that made all the difference. King County search & rescue crews were able to make it to their location just before sunset the same day.
Video shows the rescue helicopter approaching the area and the skier’s friends can be seen waving in a desperate attempt to get rescuers attention. A rescuer is then lowered down on a rope from the helicopter and the injured skier is secured to the line before being hoisted into the helicopter. Another one of the skiers had fallen roughly 500 feet, sustaining a twisted knee and broken wrist. The third skier was uninjured. All three skiers were eventually airlifted to safety.
