Yesterday at approximately 1:07 p.m., BCSO deputies, along with CAL FIRE and Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel, were dispatched to a remote area near Poe Powerhouse Road and Big Bend Dam after the BCSO Dispatch Center received an iPhone emergency notification indicating a possible vehicle collision.
Responding crews, along with the BCSO helicopter, searched the area but were unable to locate a crash. The helicopter continued searching downstream, where crews spotted a group of kayakers and rafters. After landing downstream and speaking with the group, responders learned that an individual’s phone had triggered an emergency 911 notification following a hard impact while navigating the water below Poe Dam.
While iPhone emergency notifications can be a valuable tool during an actual emergency, they may also be triggered during intense outdoor activities. If you’re participating in activities such as kayaking, rafting, or other high-impact recreation, consider familiarizing yourself with your phone’s emergency settings to better understand how these features work and reduce the likelihood of unintended alerts.
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors!
