The iPhone 14’s satellite-powered SOS system has once again proven beneficial, recently helping to rescue two passengers who accidentally drove their car off the Angeles Forest Highway in the Angeles National Forest and fell 300 feet into the canyon. Credit for Apple’s satellite-powered SOS and accident detection feature was given by first responders who performed the rescue in a helicopter. Apple added the Emergency SOS feature, backed by a satellite network, to iPhone devices launched in September, and it’s already proving useful for users in distress.
The California Montrose Search and Rescue Team released an official update on the incident Twitter. The post noted that they had received a call for help via Apple’s emergency satellite service.
The team also shared video of the ongoing helicopter mission.
MPs, vehicle fire alert over the side via iPhone emergency satellite service
This afternoon around 1:55 p.m., @CVLASD received a call from Apple’s emergency satellite service. The informant and another victim were involved in a single vehicle accident pic.twitter.com/tFWGMU5h3V
— Montrose Search and Rescue Team (Ca.) (@MontroseSAR) December 14, 2022
The feature does not require a cellular network or Wi-Fi network work. The satellite network also allows users to share their location.
If a user cannot reach emergency services, the iPhone displays an interface to get help to the user via a satellite link. It asks users a series of questions to convey specific details to potential responders.
Earlier this month, the iPhone maker announced the extension of this satellite SOS feature to iPhone 14 users in France, Germany, Ireland and the UK.
The Cupertino-based tech giant has partnered with Global Star to wire satellite connectivity iPhone 14, iPhone 14Plus, iPhone 14 proand iPhone 14 pro max models.
The service will be available to iPhone users free of charge for two years.
In the first week of December Alaska State Troopers were alerted via Apple’s Satellite Emergency Call feature to a grown man stranded in a remote region.
By that time, the Apple Emergency Response Center, which obtained the man’s GPS coordinates, had coordinated with the local emergency response team to rescue the person unharmed and in a timely manner.
