Crews rescue 3 hikers on Camelback Mountain

PHOENIX - Phoenix Fire Department crews worked to rescue three hikers on Camelback Mountain Friday morning.

On the Echo Trail, a 17-year-old female sustained an ankle injury and crews used a big wheel operation to get her off the mountain. She was about a quarter mile up, per officials.

The second patient was a 65-year-old male, whose family reported that he passed out and was weak. According to Captain Jake Van Hook, crews used the rescue helicopter to extract the hiker from the mountain. This rescue operation also took place on the Echo Trail.

Meanwhile, on the east side of the mountain, an off-duty firefighter found 51-year-old male who had passed out a couple of times on the Cholla Trail. He was also airlifted off of the mountain.

>>VIDEO from the scene: facebook.com/108924385822784/videos/1707073382674535

Rescuers say you have to use common sense when hiking a mountain as challenging as Camelback.

"Don't take on more than you can handle. Be realistic about your physical capabilities and do it safely. We encourage everyone to come out, but do it safely," said Hook.

The male hikers refused to be taken to an area hospital.