Hiker rescued from Big Cypress National Preserve

A 58-year-old man became dehydrated while hiking the Florida Trail in the Big Cypress Preserve on Monday evening.

The high temperatures made the situation dire, but he managed to call 911 for help.

"I'm on the Florida Trail," said the hiker. "It is getting dark and there is no water for 25 miles down, and I'm starting to get dehydrated and fallen."

The Collier County Sheriff's aviation team, along with North Collier Fire Control and Rescue medics, responded to the man's last known location. GPS placed him about five miles south of Interstate 75.

The sheriff's office said a sharp-eyed pilot quickly spotted the man hiking along the trail.

"Just let 'em know we got him in sight," pilots say in the video planning the rescue. "That's a nice wide open spot in front of him. If you guys are good with that, copy."

The high temperature on Monday reached 92 degrees but felt more like 94 degrees with humidity. It was estimated to be 85 degrees around the time the man called emergency services.

In the rescue video, the sheriff’s office spot the man and approach him. He sat on the ground so rescuers could place him in a harness and airlift him to waiting paramedics.

The Florida Trail Association recommends always hiking with a buddy for safety, especially if someone gets dehydrated or injured. They also suggest hiking in the morning and finishing before noon, hydrating before and during the hike, and carrying plenty of water and a fully charged cellphone in case of emergencies.