Scene from a long and difficult rescue of a hiker with a broken ankle Sunday in hot and treacherous conditions. Dozens of rescuers from multiple teams participated. Photo Courtesy NMSP
Nighttime scene from the rescue of a hiker Sunday at Aguirre Springs Natural Area. Photo Courtesy NMSP
Scene from Sunday’s rescue. Photo Ciurtesy NMSP
Scene from rescue of a hiker with a broken ankle Sunday in the Aguirre Springs Natural Area. Photo Courtesy NMSP
NMSP NEWS RELEASE
A coordinated multi-agency effort led by the New Mexico State Police, Search and Rescue team successfully extracted an injured hiker from a steep mountain gully in the Aguirre Springs Natural Area, 21 miles east of Las Cruces, on Sunday. The grueling and highly technical rescue operation lasted more than 12 hours and required the joint efforts of dozens of regional search and rescue personnel.
At approximately 10 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026, emergency dispatchers received a call regarding a hiking party traveling off-trail. One of the hikers, a man, had sustained a severe broken ankle and was unable to self-evacuate. Responding crews discovered the hiker had ascended approximately 1,000 feet off the main trail into a steep, rugged gully near the summit area.
Due to the extreme, vertical nature of the terrain and severe loose rock conditions, a specialized technical extraction was required. A total of 30 New Mexico Search and Rescue (NMSAR) volunteers mobilized for the mission, alongside 12 personnel from the Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) Technical Rescue Team.
The complex litter-carry operation took approximately 12 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Amid high summer temperatures, multiple teams continuously hauled additional water up the mountain to support both the patient and the rescue crews on scene. The injured man was safely brought down the mountain and transferred to emergency medical services for transport to a local hospital.
Agencies participating in the rescue included:
- Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad (OMTRS)
- Doña Ana County Search and Rescue
- Doña Ana County Fire Rescue
- Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue
- Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) Technical Rescue Team
Local public safety officials remind the community that while the Organ Mountains offer spectacular recreation opportunities, off-trail hiking significantly increases the risk of serious accidents and complicates emergency rescue efforts. Hikers are strongly encouraged to stay on designated trails, carry ample water and remain aware of changing mountain conditions.