In a remarkable rescue operation, a 66-year-old hiker from Varese, missing in the Valgrande area, was found injured but alive, thanks to Smith Myers ARTEMIS systems.
The hiker had been missing since Sunday, Nov. 17. Despite intensive search efforts by rescue teams, he remained unlocated until the intervention of the Drago 150 helicopter from the Fire Brigade of the Lombardy Flight Department.
This state-of-the-art Leonardo helicopter is equipped with the award-winning Smith Myers ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Detection and Location System (MPDLS), which once again played a decisive role in another successful rescue for the Fire Brigade.
On the morning of Nov. 19, favorable weather conditions allowed the deployment of the Drago 150 helicopter. Utilizing the ARTEMIS system, the helicopter was able to locate the missing hiker’s mobile phone, even in the challenging terrain of Valgrande.
The system’s ability to locate phones using 2G through to the latest 5G networks enabled the rescue team to locate the exact position.
The rescue teams were promptly directed to missing hiker’s location, where they found him injured but alive. He was immediately provided with medical assistance and transported to the hospital in Novara, where he is currently receiving care.
“This marks another successful rescue operation in Italy for ARTEMIS, and underscores the critical importance of advanced technology in search and rescue missions,” said Andrew Munro, managing director, Smith Myers.
“Together with our Italian partners Omnia Rep, we are honored to support the Italian Fire Brigade search-and-rescue teams with our ARTEMIS.”
Recently selected for several major UK, European and North American SAR and Coast Guard Programs, ARTEMIS provides a new and mission critical capability to aircrew/first responders and is deployed globally in Maritime Patrol, Border Control, Aerial Firefighting and Natural Disasters.
This most recent Italian rescue follow just days after another successful rescue of a father and son from perilous blizzard conditions in Norway.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Smith Myers.
