A hiker had a problem in the Florida wilderness, cops say. Watch the dramatic rescue
Two hikers in Florida’s Big Cypress Preserve caught a lucky break on Friday afternoon.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, one member of the party had suffered a “medical emergency” during a storm and needed assistance.
The sheriff’s office said the hiker was “exhibiting signs of heat stroke” while walking along the waterlogged Florida National Scenic Trail around 4:15 p.m.
Due to the severe weather, air crews were unable to respond immediately. A ground search was launched, with an assist from the National Park Service.
After about an hour, the air crew was successful in locating the stranded hikers, who used a flashlight to signal the helicopter.
GPS coordinates placed the two about seven miles south of 63-mile-marker rest area on Interstate 75, near Ochopee.
Police footage shows how a rescuer is lowered into the thick cypress trees, then the hikers are plucked from the preserve one by one and hoisted into the chopper.
The two were evaluated by paramedics at the rest stop.
