Lake Pleasant hiker rescued using drone technology

The hiker became trapped underneath a large Palo Verde branch after falling down a steep incline, fire officials said.

PEORIA, Ariz. — A woman who became lost and disoriented while hiking near Lake Pleasant was rescued after a drone helped officials locate her in the desert, according to officials with the Peoria Fire Department. 

Officials got a 911 call from the woman who said she had become lost and exhausted due to the heat while hiking. She had fallen down a steep incline and her leg was stuck underneath a large Palo Verde branch, officials said. 

She did not know her exact location but officials were able to use GPS coordinates from the 911 call to deploy a drone and she was found within 15 minutes, officials said. 

The woman was rescued and taken to a nearby emergency room to be treated for heat exhaustion, officials said. 

“PFMD reminds all outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions when recreating in the desert, especially during high temperatures,” The Peoria Fire Medical Department said in a statement. “Stay hydrated, inform someone of your plans, and carry a charged cell phone with location services enabled.”

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