Last Thursday, Michael Harris, a skier from Bothell, Washington, survived after being buried in an avalanche for about four hours while skiing at Stevens Pass Ski Resort. He says the snow trapped him upright in what he described as a “snow hole,” leaving him unable to move or reach his iPhone or Apple Watch as the snow packed around him. While trapped, he could hear and feel his phone vibrating when his wife tried to call him.
His wife, Penny Harris, became concerned and checked his location using the Find My iPhone app. After noticing that his location at Stevens Pass had not moved, she contacted ski patrol and drove to the area. Using the data from his phone and watch, ski patrol was able to locate him and dig him out from under several feet of snow.
Harris was taken to the hospital with hypothermia, a broken bone, and other injuries and is now recovering. Hospital staff have been referring to him as the “Miracle Avalanche Man,” and his family created a crowdfund to help cover medical bills. Harris believes his wife’s decision to check his location and contact rescuers helped save his life.
Source: FOX 13 SEATTLE
photo: GETTY