PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An overnight operation ended with firefighters rescuing a man from the top of Camelback Mountain on Wednesday morning.
First responders were called to Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain, which is between Phoenix and Scottsdale, around 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday after it was reported that a hiker was stuck at the top of the trail.
Officials with the Phoenix Fire Department said the operation was delayed until the morning for safety due to low visibility at night and the area of the trail that the hiker was in. They added that it does not appear the hiker was seriously hurt.
Phoenix Fire spokesperson DJ Lee said the man was in the Camel’s Head portion of the trail, which is difficult for rescue teams to access. He also did not have a cell phone with him. Firefighters used a drone to provide the man a cell phone, water and a blanket and were in communication with him all night, according to Lee.
Crews communicated with the man to formulate a plan to get him off the mountain, according to Phoenix Fire.
Shortly before 9 a.m., several firefighters and SWAT members were dropped from a helicopter to the man’s location on the mountain. After evaluating him, he was hoisted into a harness and flown off.
Once the helicopter was safely on the ground, the man was carried to an awaiting ambulance at the base of the mountain. According to Phoenix police, he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Once released, he will receive help at a mental health facility.
All crews made it safely off the mountain. Police say the man will also be issued a citation by city park rangers.
It’s unclear why he was at the top of the mountain at night. He was initially found by crews on regular patrol in the area.
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