Hiker dead, 4 others rescued from Arizona mountains due to 'heat issues,' officials say
Posted: May 12, 2025 - 11:03am

A 33-year-old man died and four others were rescued while hiking in an Arizona mountain range, officials said.

First responders arrived at Superstition Mountains around 1 p.m. local time on May 11 after receiving a call about five hikers needing rescue, the Superstition Fire & Medical District said in a social media post.

Alongside the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and Mesa Fire Department, SFMD said crews responded to what it calls a "1st alarm Mountain rescue." SFMD said the hikers needed emergency aid "reportedly due to heat issues."

The 33-year-old man experienced a medical emergency and died before deputies arrived, Sam Salzwedel, Pinal County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, said in a statement.

SFMD said four others were also rescued but "refused transport to the hospital."

 

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Man reportedly died after being on trail for 6 hours

The group was traversing the Wave Cave Trail when the 33-year-old experienced a medical emergency, Salzwedel said.

The hikers had reportedly been on the trail for six hours, according to AZFamily, ABC15 and FOX10. Salzwedel referred USA TODAY to SFMD to clarify these details — the department did not immediately respond to request for comment.

No foul play is suspected in the man's death and the Pinal County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, Salzwedel said.

The Wave Cave Trail at Superstition Mountains is near Gold Canyon, Arizona, which is about 40 miles east of Phoenix. The trail is about three miles long and reaches an elevation of 820 feet, according to AllTrails.

'No hike is worth your life': Officials warn about heat

SFMD cautioned hikers about heat-related illnesses after one person died on May 11.

"As temperatures climb, so does the risk," SFMD said on social media. "Heat illness can set in fast, even for experienced hikers."

The department said heat exhaustion or heat stroke can set in after less than an hour in Arizona's sun, where temperatures can reach 110 in the summertime. It also said most heat deaths happen on trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"Please stay safe and plan wisely. No hike is worth your life," SFMD said.