Las Vegas Search and Rescue Aids Two Hikers in Back-to-Back Missions

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The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Search and Rescue team was kept busy on Saturday, January 31, 2026, responding to two separate calls for help. First, they assisted an injured hiker with a broken ankle in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Shortly after, they responded to a call about a severely hypothermic and dehydrated biker who had been stranded in the desert for over a day.

Why it matters

These back-to-back search and rescue operations highlight the important role that first responders play in keeping outdoor enthusiasts safe, especially in the rugged terrain surrounding Las Vegas. The incidents also serve as a reminder for people to take proper precautions when venturing into remote areas.

The details

In the first incident, a hiker had hiked two miles to get cell service and report an injured companion on Turtlehead Peak in Red Rock Canyon. A helicopter was called in to assist the search and rescue crews, who packaged the injured hiker onto a litter and used a rope system to transport them to a landing zone where they could be taken to the hospital by ambulance. Shortly after, search and rescue crews responded to a call about a biker who was severely hypothermic and dehydrated after being stranded in the desert for over a day. The biker had fallen and was unable to move for approximately 36 hours before being located by another biker who heard their faint cries for help. Responders provided immediate medical care and the biker was extracted by helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital.

• The first call came in at 12:46 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
• The second call came in shortly after the first response, in the same general area west of Las Vegas.