Six skiers trapped in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe survived thanks to iPhone's Emergency SOS via satellite feature, which allowed them to communicate with emergency responders when cellular and Wi-Fi connections were unavailable. The skiers maintained contact with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office for several hours while rescue efforts were coordinated, according to a report in The New York Times.

Don O'Keefe, law enforcement chief for California's Office of Emergency Services, said one of his personnel communicated with a guide over a four-hour period, relaying critical information back to the sheriff's office. The feature, available on the iPhone 14 and later models as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, has proven invaluable in multiple off-grid emergencies. Apple offers this functionality free of charge to users.

Since its introduction, Emergency SOS via satellite has helped people in various emergencies, from car accidents to wildfires. The service currently operates in 18 countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. This latest rescue demonstrates how satellite communication technology can be a lifesaver when traditional communication methods fail in remote areas.