Thirteen people were rescued after getting lost on a hiking trail in Arizona on Friday during extreme heat. This group included three children and an adult who needed to go to the hospital.
The hikers were in town for a family reunion and started their hike on the Gateway Loop Trail in Scottsdale around 7:30 a.m. Local firefighters were called for help shortly after 10 a.m.
The hikers had strayed from the trail and were running low on water. Luckily, they called for help early when they realized they were in trouble. They were found under a tree in a wash several miles into the trail.
A 10-year-old was treated by paramedics and then taken to a local children’s hospital. The child was doing well.
A 12-month-old and an 18-month-old were rescued with a utility vehicle and taken to a hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Firefighters also used a large stretcher to rescue a woman from the trail, and she was also taken to a hospital.
The rest of the group was able to walk out with the help of the rescue teams. Everyone is expected to recover.
Over 65 firefighters were involved in the rescue. An excessive heat warning was in effect, with temperatures reaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fire Capt. Dave Folio reminded hikers to stay on marked trails and to head back before it gets too hot.