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Apple's iPhone Emergency SOS Helps Locate Stranded Man in Alaska

Rescuers were able to find him after he activated the new feature.

Bree Fowler Senior Writer
Bree Fowler writes about cybersecurity and digital privacy. Before joining CNET she reported for The Associated Press and Consumer Reports. A Michigan native, she's a long-suffering Detroit sports fan, world traveler, wannabe runner and champion baker of over-the-top birthday cakes and all-things sourdough.
Expertise cybersecurity, digital privacy, IoT, consumer tech, smartphones, wearables
Bree Fowler

Rescuers in Alaska were able to locate a stranded snowmobiler with the help of Apple's new Emergency SOS via satellite feature.

iPhone with Emergency SOS on screen

A stranded man in Alaska was able to call for help with Apple's Emergency SOS.  

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET

According to Alaska State Troopers, the man was traveling via snowmachine from Noorvik to Kotzebue on Alaska's western coast when he became stranded and activated the feature on his iPhone early Thursday.

Local search and rescue teams sent a group of four volunteer searchers to the Nimiuk Point area. They were able to use the GPS coordinates provided by Apple's emergency response center to locate the man, troopers say.

The man, who wasn't injured, was transported to Kotzebue by the search team.

Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature, announced at the company's September product launch, allows iPhone 14 users to contact emergency services and contacts even when out of cellular range. With a clear view of the sky, messages can be sent via satellite in as little as 15 seconds, Apple said.

The feature is free for the first two years.

Read more: iPhone 14 Emergency SOS: Here's How I Used a Satellite to Contact 911

Watch this: I Tried Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14