California Couple Saved Their Car from a Cliff by iPhone’s Emergency SOS

The Apple iPhone’s Emergency SOS system saved an Alaskan man who was stranded. And the satellite feature helped a couple from California who lost their cell phone reception after their car crashed off a cliff. The couple were driving on the Angeles Forest Highway in Crescenta Valley when the accident happened—and if they hadn’t had access to the SOS system, there’s no telling when they might have been found. Here’s the story of what happened to the couple.

1

Stranded in a Canyon

The couple was driving along the Angeles Forest Highway when the car they were driving off of went off the shoulder and plunged 300ft into the canyon. They were in their 20s and suffered minor to moderate injuries. However, they found themselves in remote areas without cell reception. They could have been in serious difficulty if they didn’t have cellular coverage. 

2

Notify us immediately

One of the two had an iPhone 14, which can be used as an emergency satellite for anyone in need. It could have saved their lives. “@CVLASD received an emergency call from Apple this afternoon at 1:55 pm,” tweeted the Montrose Search&Rescue Team (Ca.) “The informant and another victim were involved in an accident that occurred on Angeles Forest Hwy at mile marker 18.87, Angeles Forest.”

3

No Cell Signal

Search and Rescue confirmed that there was no cellular coverage at the accident site. Their vehicle was about 300 feet from the top of the mountain. They were in remote canyons without cellular service. They were able to get out of the car.

4

SOS Signal

Search and Rescue was able to pinpoint the location of the couple using the Apple satellite service. They were able to use the emergency satellite service of their iPhone 14 to communicate with a relay center via SMS. The center reached out to our station, who dispatched @LACOFD, the patrol units and @SEBLASD air rescue 5. We received an exact latitude and longitude from the call center for the victims.

5

Apple Success

They were both taken to safety by a rescue helicopter. Air Rescue 5 was able find the victims and send a paramedic. The paramedic discovered that the victims, a male in his 20s and a female in her 30s, had suffered mild to moderate injuries. The helicopter was able rescue the victims from the canyon, and then transport them to a nearby hospital.