A video shared by the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit shows the rescue of backcountry skiers near Steven’s Pass in Washington state after a 1,000-foot fall triggered an Apple Watch SOS alert.
Officials released dramatic video last week showing the rescue of injured skiers at Steven’s Pass in Washington state, and some wearable technology is believed to help guide rescuers to their location.
An Apple Watch SOS alert from a backcountry skier was received by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, according to information from the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit.
The only information provided to rescuers was that the unidentified skier had fallen approximately 1,000 feet and suffered a leg injury, and that the King County Sheriff’s Air Support Unit was able to respond just after sunset.
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This image shows a backcountry skier waving a rescue helicopter near Steven’s Pass in Washington state on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
(King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit/FOX Weather)
The video shows the rescue helicopter approaching the area, and the skier’s friend waving in a desperate attempt to get the rescuers’ attention.
A rescuer is then brought down from the helicopter, and video from the ground shows the injured skier being attached to the line before being hoisted to safety.
But the rescue didn’t end there.
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A video shared by the King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit shows the rescue of backcountry skiers near Steven’s Pass in Washington state after a 1,000-foot fall triggered an Apple Watch SOS alert.
“We have a second patient with a knee injury who is still there,” a rescue worker was heard saying.
The skier was unable to walk, so the decision was made to hoist all three skiers into the helicopter and take them down the mountain to safety.
