A big family took a big chance and ignored trail closures to hike a South Mountain trail in Phoenix, and it did not pay off. Sadly, the Arizona family of 11, which includes at least five children, required rescue after multiple family members began showing signs of heat-related illness.
“Yesterday, our Technical Rescue Teams responded after multiple children were suffering from heat related injuries on South Mountain,” wrote the Phoenix Fire Department in a post sharing footage from the rescue effort. “Despite posted trail closures, the group began hiking late in the morning when temps were already climbing past 100° [F].”
The fire department added that rescuers had to transport two children, ages nine and 11, down the mountain on a big-wheel stretcher. Last July, a 10-year-old boy died of heat-related illness on the same hiking trail.
[RELATED: Tips for Hiking in the Desert]
“This was preventable,” the fire department said, providing the following tips to hikers:
- If a trail is closed, it’s for your safety.
- Hike early. Hydrate often.
- Respect the heat.
See the Phoenix Fire Department’s footage of the Arizona family that required rescue after hiking on a closed trail in extreme heat:
Header stock image by Melissa Kopka/Getty Images