California avalanche survivors used iPhone SOS satellite feature to call for help
Essential brief
After a deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe killed at least eight people, six survivors used the iPhone’s emergency SOS satellite feature to contact first
A deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, resulted in at least eight fatalities among a ski group of 15 on February 17, 2026. Six survivors used the iPhone’s emergency SOS feature, which connects to satellites when cellular service is unavailable, to communicate with first responders while sheltering under a tarp. This communication helped rescuers locate the survivors and recover some of the victims.
The iPhone SOS feature, introduced in 2022, allows users to send text messages to emergency services via satellite when traditional networks are inaccessible. First responders engaged in extended communication with one of the stranded guides, relaying critical information to coordinate rescue efforts. Additionally, a personal locator beacon with satellite texting capability was used during the rescue.
Among the group, three were instructors with Blackbird Mountain Guides and six were clients. One individual remains missing and is presumed dead. The emergency SOS service is available free for two years on iPhone 14 models and later, providing location, medical ID, and battery status to responders once connected.
This incident marks another instance where Apple’s satellite SOS technology has aided in emergency rescues, including previous cases involving injured hikers and motorists in remote areas across North America.