Utah County Search and Rescue helps heat-exhausted hikers on hot springs trail
Jul 11, 2024, 4:33 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2024, 6:49 am
SPANISH FORK — Two teen girls experienced heat exhaustion on the Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail Thursday afternoon, also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs, and required rescue, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Sgt. Spencer Cannon reported search and rescue crews responded to help the first girl around 3:30 p.m., who was described as being 15 or 16 years old and “had problems getting down” from the hot springs.
The out-and-back trail is nearly five miles. Sgt. Dallin Turner from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said rescuers hiked about a mile to a mile-and-a-half up from the trailhead to reach the group the girl was hiking with.
He said the hikers were from a local youth facility.
“We first responded on one female that was experiencing difficulty breathing, a little bit of dizziness, kind of your typical and common signs of maybe some heat exhaustion leading into heat stroke,” Turner said.
After arriving, he explained the search and rescue team realized a second girl in the group was experiencing similar symptoms and needed help.
Search and rescue crews offered on-the-ground treatment and Turner said the girls were carried down in a wheeled litter by the team before an ambulance took them to the hospital for further evaluation.
The sheriff’s office said a medical helicopter as well as the DPS helicopter were called but were not used in the rescue.
Turner urged people to avoid the hot springs in the heat, saying it could contribute to dehydration. He also advised hiking early in the morning and not the heat of the day during the dangerous temperature streak, and packing extra water.
