A large-scale rescue operation was launched yesterday in Teide National Park after a tourist went missing while hiking the popular Roques de García trail.
The incident began when a certified tour guide reported to officers from the Canary Islands Regional Police (Cuerpo General de la Policía Canaria) that one of the members of her group, a 70-year-old man from Iceland, had been missing for over an hour. The rest of the group remained waiting in the tour bus while officers immediately organised a search.
The operation involved personnel from the Police's Environmental and Cultural Heritage Protection Group (GRUMA), the Administrative Surveillance and Inspection Unit (UVIA), as well as emergency responders from the Red Cross Immediate Response Unit (ERIE), La Orotava Fire Brigade, and staff from Gesplan. The Canary Islands Emergency Services Coordination Centre (CECOES) also activated medical resources as part of the response.
During the search, two hikers approached police officers and informed them they had found a man matching the description of the missing tourist. They said that they had discovered him lying on the ground with head injuries and other wounds, and that he was poorly equipped for the terrain, wearing inappropriate clothing and unsuitable footwear, and had no food or water with him. The hikers also said they gave him water and sunscreen to prevent dehydration while awaiting rescue teams.
The injured man was located by rescuers shortly afterwards. He appeared disoriented but conscious, and after receiving first aid at the scene, he was transported across the Llano de Ucanca to an ambulance where his guide was waiting. He was then given further medical attention for his injuries.
Thanks to the rapid coordination between the various emergency teams, the holidaymaker was safely rescued before his condition could deteriorate.
