For a bit of wholesome news, a drone this week helped rescue two hikers and their incapacitated dog. The couple and their dog became lost in the Otero Canyon, New Mexico but found rescue with the help of a drone. The UAV itself belonged to the local county’s first responders. Thanks to the quick action by Bernalillo County’s Fire Department, the missing hikers found their way within the hour of contact.
The missing couple called 911 Saturday afternoon after they lost their way on the New Mexico mountain bike trail. 5 Rescue responders then set out into the area with a drone for aerial support. With only less than 2 hours to find the missing persons and get them to safety, the time was ticking.
Drone to the rescue in New Mexico:
This story would have gotten a twist ending had it not for the presence of the drone. After the missing hikers were found, the crew themselves started to become lost on the way back. It was past 5 in the afternoon and the sun was about to set. This left very little window room for errors since their natural light source is fading.
A combination of luck and forward thinking saved the day. One of the responders brought a drone with them. One of the members of the county personally owned the drone. It was currently undergoing routine testing for the fire department when the event occurred. The responders, to find the right way towards civilization, then utilized the drone. It was an easy task after that. It only took a few moments to find the right direction, and the rescue team were on their way.
The combination of a limited time frame as well as the missing persons being in a remote part of the trail made the rescue difficult. It almost came to a halt were it not for the drone’s resourceful insights and a bird’s eye view. This gave everyone a great chance at finding a direction, since an aerial shot can cover more ground than responders on foot can.
You can be sure that this is not the last time the drone will aid in rescue missions for the county. The county’s heads have already expressed the desire to acquire two more drones for their rescue teams.
