Two separate rescue missions unfolded this Sunday as firefighters came to the aid of a hiker and a mountaineer in distinct locations within the Alicante region. The incidents, which spanned from the Sierra de Bernia to the Rincón de Bonanza area near Orihuela, involved careful coordination among ground teams and aerial support to ensure the safety of the injured parties and the smooth transport to medical facilities.
In the Sierra de Bernia, near the popular trails that skirt the towns of Altea and Callosa d’en Sarrià and close to the Forat road, responders arrived just before 11:00 a.m. They were summoned after a fall of several meters on a trail left a 34-year-old woman with a suspected ankle fracture. The terrain was uneven, and the fall occurred on a section where loose rocks and narrow paths demand heightened caution. Firefighters stabilized the patient on the trail, carefully assessing circulation and sensation, before preparing for an airlift. As part of the rescue, a ground-level splint was secured and then transferred to the rescue helicopter via crane. The helicopter, arriving on the scene shortly after the initial alert from the Provincial Consortium, carried the improvised medical equipment and the splint to a nearby fire station for further medical evaluation, while onlookers watched the operation unfold with a mix of concern and relief. The operation concluded at around 12:17 p.m., marking a textbook example of multi-agency collaboration in a challenging alpine environment.
The second incident occurred at 11:39 a.m. in Rincón de Bonanza, Orihuela. There, a 55-year-old climber tumbled from a height of roughly five meters, resulting in injuries to both ankles. Officials indicated that rockfall contributed to the fall, complicating the rescue scenario by altering the stability of the involved area. An aerial response was activated to ensure rapid access and extraction from a steep slope adjacent to a climbing wall. Firefighters descended to the injured climber using climbing gear and a hoist system, administering first aid on site before preparing the patient for air transport. The climber was eventually lifted into the helicopter with the help of a crane, and the team worked to stabilize vital signs and immobilize the limbs during airlift. The entire mission wrapped up at approximately 2:23 p.m., reflecting the urgency and precision required in high-angle rescue operations.
Both rescues highlight the critical role of timely response, accurate situational assessment, and seamless cooperation between ground crews and air units. In Sierra de Bernia, responders emphasized the importance of maintaining stable footing and using properly fitted splints to immobilize injured limbs before transport. In Orihuela, rescuers noted that the rockfall hazard necessitated deliberate movement and constant communication, ensuring that the patient was safely secured before being hoisted. Each operation demonstrated how advanced equipment, including rescue helicopters and crane systems, complements the bravery and skill of firefighters in delivering life-saving care under demanding conditions. As these teams completed their missions, they continued to monitor the affected areas for potential aftershocks or secondary hazards while coordinating with medical facilities to ensure quick and effective treatment for the injured.