Thirteen individuals, among them three children, were rescued on Friday after becoming lost on an Arizona hiking trail during intense heat, authorities reported. An adult and the three children were transported to the hospital for further care.
The group, visiting for a family reunion, embarked on the Gateway Loop Trail in Scottsdale around 7:30 a.m. local time, according to the Scottsdale Fire Department. Rescue teams were dispatched shortly after 10 a.m. for a mountain rescue operation.
The hikers, who had veered off the trail and were running low on water, managed to call for help early, which proved crucial, according to Scottsdale Fire Captain Dave Folio. They were discovered in a wash under a tree several miles into the trail.
A 10-year-old child was treated by paramedics and then airlifted to a local children’s hospital for evaluation and was reported to be in “great condition,” Folio said. Additionally, a 12-month-old and an 18-month-old were rescued using a utility terrain vehicle and taken to a local hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion.
First responders utilized a big-wheel operation, involving a stretcher mounted on a single large wheel for maneuvering over rough terrain, to rescue a woman from the trail. She was also transported to a local hospital.
The remaining hikers were able to walk off the trail with the assistance of the rescue crews. All individuals involved are expected to survive, as reported by ABC Phoenix affiliate KNXV.
More than 65 firefighters participated in the rescue effort. An excessive heat warning was in effect for the area on Friday, with temperatures forecasted to reach 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We want people to enjoy our trails, and we take pride in keeping them safe,” Folio told reporters. He emphasized the importance of staying on the trail and completing hikes early in the day before temperatures climb.
“It’s extremely hot right now,” Folio added.
Thirteen hikers, including several children, were rescued after getting lost on an Arizona trail amid high heat. This article originally appeared on abcnews.go.com.
