Murcia emergency teams rescue two hikers just five minutes apart

Emergency services in Murcia were fast responders in mid-October when they carried out two rescues within just five minutes of each other in the mountains of the region. An injured young man and a person caught in the heavy downpour were both found and brought to safety on Saturday, October 17 by first responders, making for a nail-biting, but ultimately successful afternoon.

Two mountain rescues within five minutes: A young hiker injured

The first of the rescues took place approximately 500 metres south of the Eremitorio de la Luz, or the Hermitage of Light, in Santo Ángel. A 26-year-old man suffered an ankle injury, and his companion issued an emergency call to the 112 Emergency Coordination Centre at 2:38pm. The pair had been descending the mountainous area when the young man was injured, rendering him unable to continue the journey.

In response to this situation, officers from the Murcia Local Police, City Council Firefighters, the Guardia Civil, an environmental agent and health personnel from the 061 Emergency and Health Services Management were deployed. Emergency teams managed to locate and assist the injured young man, who was later transferred to the Reina Sofía University General Hospital in Murcia to receive medical attention and determine the extent of his injury.

A second hiker caught in the dangerous rainstorm

As for the second rescue, a person contacted the 112 emergency telephone number after being caught in the heavy rainstorm while in a mountainous area near Pico del Relojero, or Clockmaker’s Peak. The call was initially interrupted due to the storm, making it difficult for first responders to find his location and circumstances. In response, the Emergency Coordination Centre mobilised the Murcia Local Police, City Council Firefighters, an environmental agent and 061 health personnel.

The firefighters reported that the man had been found and rescued by 3:16pm. There was no report of injury or a need for a hospital transfer in this second case.

Murcia and many other regions in Spain battered by rain

The storms in the beginning and through the middle of October swept across many areas of Spain, and in the case of these two hikers, the unstable weather and warnings for heavy rainfall created potentially dangerous situations. Luckily, they had charged phones with them, to be able to contact emergency services.

Recommendations for safer hiking

First responders remind hiking enthusiasts to check the weather before heading to mountainous areas or engaging in outdoor activities. During storms, it is recommended to avoid summits, ridges, isolated trees and other exposed areas. Family members and other loved ones should also be informed of your whereabouts before setting off.

For the first responders in Murcia, the back-to-back emergencies during this stormy afternoon in October were stressful, but ultimately ended in the hikers safe and sound without fatal injury.