You might consider that features such as Crash Detection and Emergency SOS are gimmicks that iPhone users wo n’t ever actually need , but a report out of Maui might make you think doubly . According to a post on X ( formerly Twitter ) , five people trapped in their car in Maui were able to expend Emergency SOS via satellite to call emergency service .
X user Michael J. Miraflor reports that his chum ’s girlfriend ’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly break open around them . Due to the conditions , they could n’t connect to their wireless meshwork so “ Apple Emergency SOS was the only way of life they could get in physical contact with first responder , ” according to Miraflor .
My brother ’s girlfriend ’s cousin and his family were bewitch in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfire suddenly erupted around them . No cellular phone service , so Apple Emergency SOS was the only means they could get in contact with first respondent . Literally salvage their lives.pic.twitter.com/PpxNwTGOAf
He said the feature “ literally saved their lives . ” The family was deliver at a bank in a strip mall , though it ’s not clean-cut if they were already attempt to evacuate the sphere .
Miraflor posted a screenshot of the exchange between the household member and first responders , and it appears it assume about 35 minutes from the time they used the characteristic to make touch with emergency respondent to the time they were rescue . The starter was able to get their location from the iPhone , instruct them to put on their chance lights , and relay info to the fire department .
Thewildfires in Mauihave have more than 50 death and “ billions ” in damage to Lahaina and the surround area .