78-year-old hiker rescued in south Phoenix

PHOENIX (AP) - Firefighters rescued a 78-year-old man Saturday after he ran out of water while hiking in south Phoenix.

Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Ruben Saavedra says the man, who had been hiking in South Mountain since 4 a.m., called his son five hours later to let him know he didn’t have any water.

Saavedra says the son went to look for him and decided to notify authorities around 1:40 p.m.

Firefighters and park officials executed a search and the hiker was found by a park ranger.

Saavedra says the man was taken by ambulance to a hospital for possible heat exhaustion.

Saavedra says even experienced hikers need to remember to carry enough water, a fully charged cellphone and to not go alone.