Apple Watch alert saves stranded skiers after 1000 ft fall

The Apple Watch Emergency SOS feature proved useful in rescuing stranded skiers during a ski trip.

A video of a rescue mission started circulating online after three skiers were rescued while skiing in Stevens Pass, Washington.

It has been reported that one of the skiers fell 1000 feet and was injured. Their Apple Watch detected the fall and contacted emergency services. The message was received by the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.

King County Sheriff Air Support shared the rescue mission, which now has almost 25,000 views on YouTube.

The initial information provided to the rescuers was that one person from the group had fallen 1000 feet and sustained a leg injury.

The rescuers at the scene soon discovered that another skier from the group also had a knee injury. All three people were taken from the scene via helicopter.

The news of the Apple Watch saving the group at the Stevens Pass soon started a discussion online.

Users were reminding each other of how often people can get injured or even killed while spending time outdoors, especially during wintertime.

"It's always one dead from winter activity and the occasional lost person during a storm. [...] Thank goodness for technology," noted one Reddit user.

While some thought that technology is especially useful in cases like these, others didn't miss an opportunity to make a few jokes.

"Apple interfering with evolution," shared one user.

"Charles Darwin is shaking his fist," replied another.

"Wait. My watch barely communicates with the cell tower when 50 feet away. There's cell coverage on this mountain?" wrote another user online.

According to Apple, "Emergency SOS requires a cellular connection or Wi-Fi calling with an Internet connection from your Apple Watch or nearby iPhone." Once the Emergency SOS is enabled, it calls the local emergency services and shares a person's location with them.

However, the company notes that location sharing with emergency services depends on country and region and may not be available everywhere.