Woman Uses 'Find My iPhone' to Rescue Husband from Avalanche

Penny Harris locates husband Michael after he fails to respond to her calls while skiing at a resort east of Seattle.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A woman in Washington state used the 'Find My iPhone' feature to locate and rescue her husband, Michael Harris, after he was trapped in an avalanche while skiing at a resort 50 miles east of Seattle last Thursday. Penny Harris became concerned when her husband did not answer her calls, so she used the tracking app to pinpoint his location and alert resort staff, who were then able to dig him out after he had been stuck for four hours. Michael Harris suffered from hypothermia and a broken leg, but is alive thanks to his wife's quick thinking.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential life-saving capabilities of modern smartphone technology, particularly in remote outdoor environments where communication can be challenging. It also underscores the importance of being prepared and having a plan when engaging in potentially dangerous winter activities.

The details

Last Thursday, Michael Harris was skiing at a resort 50 miles east of Seattle when he became trapped in an avalanche. His wife Penny became concerned when he did not answer her calls, so she used the 'Find My iPhone' feature to locate his exact position. Penny then rushed to the resort and provided the coordinates to staff, who were able to dig Michael out after he had been stuck for four hours. Michael suffered from hypothermia and a broken leg, but survived the ordeal thanks to his wife's quick action.

  • Last Thursday, Michael Harris was skiing at a resort 50 miles east of Seattle.
  • Penny Harris used the 'Find My iPhone' feature when her husband did not answer her calls.

The players

Penny Harris

The wife of Michael Harris who used the 'Find My iPhone' feature to locate and rescue her husband after he became trapped in an avalanche.

Michael Harris

A man who was skiing at a resort east of Seattle when he became trapped in an avalanche, requiring his wife to use smartphone technology to locate and rescue him.

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What’s next

Authorities are investigating the avalanche incident to determine the cause and whether any additional safety measures could have prevented it.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the life-saving potential of smartphone tracking features, especially in remote outdoor environments where communication can be challenging. It also underscores the importance of being prepared and having a plan when engaging in potentially dangerous winter activities.