:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(745x314:747x316)/HCSO-SAR-team-010926-138abb93acbb464eab4df0de74d7869a.jpg?ssl=1 "SOS Signal Leads to Rescue of Hypothermic Teen Hiker After 7-Hour Search")
NEED TO KNOW
- A 19-year-old solo male hiker was showing signs of hypothermia when he was rescued in stormy conditions, officials said
- The entire rescue mission took around seven hours, deputies said
- The man’s GPS activation device sent his location out to officials via satellite and played a key role in finding him, officers said
A 19-year-old hiker was rescued in “heavy storm” conditions in Northern California thanks to an SOS that his GPS tracking device sent out.
At 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 3, Humboldt County deputies said they got a notification from the California Office of Emergency Services about a Garmin SOS Activation ping from a male hiker, who was last known to be in the Bald Hills area near the Redwood Creek Trail.
As the department explained, when a Garmin SOS is activated, “the device transmits an emergency alert and GPS location via satellite to the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), which coordinates with local and state emergency agencies to initiate a response.”
“The hiker’s possession and activation of this device was a critical component in aiding in his rescue,” they added.
After receiving the notification, a team was deployed along with K-9 units and began searching the area with the help of a drone.
About seven hours later, at 9:38 a.m., the hiker was located, officers said.
When he was rescued, the hiker showed signs of hypothermia.
After being brought to safety, emergency medical personnel took the hiker to a local hospital where he received treatment. Additional information about his condition has not been released and the sheriff’s department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Officials went on to extend their “sincere gratitude” to everybody who helped, particularly their volunteer search and rescue team.
“Their quick response, coordination, professionalism and dedication were instrumental in the successful outcome of this rescue,” they wrote.
