A 23-year-old man was rescued from Strawberry Peak in Utah after following a Google Maps “shortcut” that left him stranded on the mountain. The incident occurred in the early hours of July 4, when the driver’s Toyota Turcell became stuck on the peak’s west side.
Wasatch County Search and Rescue teams responded to the 911 call after 12:30 a.m. The rescue operation lasted approximately three hours, with crews using all-terrain vehicles to reach the stranded motorist.
According to a social media report, rescue crews used a one-ton truck to access the stranded vehicle from Daniel’s Summit. After freeing the car, they navigated it back the way it came through three high-running creeks and down to Hobble Creek Canyon, the driver’s original starting point.
The driver, who remains unidentified, was attempting to travel between Springville and Vernal when he followed the Google Maps recommendation. Despite being trapped on the mountain, the man was fortunately uninjured.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the reliability of navigation apps in remote areas. In a similar case, Emery County Sheriff Tyson Huntington reported frequent rescue calls from East Mountain due to misleading Google Maps directions. Google has since addressed that particular issue, updating the problematic route.
The Utah Highway Patrol and State Fire Marshal emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness for drivers. They recommend maintaining vehicles, carrying emergency supplies, and keeping a charged cell phone with essential contact information.
OMG! Whaaaaat???? Google is God!