76-Year-Old Hiker Rescued by Marbella Firefighters
In the late hours of Saturday and the early hours of Sunday, a 76-year-old man was rescued by a team of firefighters from Marbella. The elderly hiker had become disoriented while trekking at an altitude of 900 metres near the Río de las Piedras, located in the Sierra Blanca mountains.
Emergency Call Sparks Rescue Operation
The rescue operation was initiated at 8.30pm after the emergency services of 112 Andalucía received a distress call from the man himself. He reported that he had lost his way while hiking a trail in the Juanar area, a region known by experts to be treacherous.
Firefighters Locate Lost Hiker
The firefighters were able to pinpoint the man’s location thanks to the coordinates sent from his mobile phone to the 112 emergency coordination centre. Upon finding him, they discovered that he was unharmed.
Rescue Operation Faced Challenges
Despite being unharmed, the man was suffering from mild hypothermia and had some mobility issues. As a result, the firefighters had to employ harnesses and other equipment during the rescue operation.
Rescue Operation Concludes Successfully
The rescue operation concluded at 4.30am, with the firefighters escorting the man, who was visiting the Costa del Sol town, back to his hotel. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of hiking in unfamiliar terrains, especially for those of advanced age.
