Austin, United States - August 20, 2024

In a dramatic rescue operation last Tuesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety's Aircraft Operations Division (DPS AOD) successfully saved a family of three from dehydration and heat exhaustion on Guadalupe Peak, located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Culberson County.

The rescue was initiated around 4:15 p.m. on August 20 when park rangers reported the distressed hikers to DPS AOD. The family, consisting of a 23-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman, and their three-month-old infant, had begun their hike early in the morning but found themselves in distress approximately nine miles into their trek as they ran out of water. The extreme heat of the day exacerbated their condition, leading to signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Responding swiftly, DPS AOD deployed a Pilatus PC-12 airplane to pinpoint the family's location from the air. Upon locating them, an Airbus H-125 helicopter was dispatched for the rescue. A Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) was lowered via hoist to assess the family's condition. Deeming a hoist operation necessary for their safety, all three family members were hoisted into the helicopter and safely transported down the mountain to awaiting medical teams on the ground.

This incident underscores the critical role of DPS AOD, which not only conducts air patrols and criminal surveillance but also engages in advanced rescue operations across Texas. As one of the largest airborne law enforcement units in the U.S., it operates out of 12 duty stations with 26 aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology, over 350 UAS systems (drones), and more than 100 personnel dedicated to public safety.