Crews rescue hiker in Franklin Mountains

From around one Sunday afternoon to 7:30 in the evening is how long it took crews to rescue a hiker who had broken her leg.

ComSAR officials said she was injured while hiking the Ron Coleman Trail that takes people from McKelligon Canyon over south Franklin Mountain to Smugglers Pass.
She was about two miles up the trail.

Officials aren’t telling us much about the woman, but another hiker who was passing by noticed she was injured and called 911 for help. Sunday’s rescue was the second mountain rescue in less than a week.

“Understand that this is not a leisure hike,” El Paso fire spokesman Carlos Briano said. “It’s very rigorous. Do some research as to what kind of terrain you may encounter, what kind of wildlife you might find out there.”

Multiple agencies responded to rescue the woman: El Paso Fire, police and Texas Parks and Wildlife State Police worked to beat the clock before the sun went down.

A helicopter was deployed to transport the woman to University Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Just last week, four boys were found after the combined search and rescue spent eight hours overnight looking for them in the Franklins.

ComSAR charges are governed by city ordinances at a rate of $82.50 per half hour. Costs increase if a helicopter and medical treatment are needed. That makes the average range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per rescue.

Now that the weather is getting nicer and more people will be out hiking. Take lots of water, flashlights, mirrors, flares, whistles, anything you can use to draw attention should you end up in danger. Not only are rescues expensive, but injuries and dehydration could cost you your life.