Hiker in critical condition after severe heatstroke on Camelback Mountain, rescued by helicopter

A hiker was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition late Sunday morning after suffering a severe heat-related medical emergency on Camelback Mountain, authorities said.

Fire crews responded around 11 a.m. to the Echo Canyon Trailhead following reports of a hiker in distress.

Upon arrival, rescue personnel hiked up the trail and made contact with an adult female roughly halfway up the mountain. The woman told firefighters she had become severely overheated and was physically unable to continue heading down the trail on her own.

Due to the location and the woman’s condition, commanders called in air support from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Rescue crews utilized MCSO’s “Fox 1” helicopter to conduct a hoist operation, flying the patient safely off the mountain and down to the base.

Once at the trailhead, emergency personnel performed cold water immersion therapy on the woman after measuring her core body temperature at more than 104 degrees.

First responders noted she was in an altered mental state, a key indicator of severe heatstroke.

The hiker was immediately taken to an awaiting ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. No additional details regarding her identity or current status were immediately available.

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