Las Cruces, NM – A coordinated multi-agency rescue effort safely extracted an injured hiker after an arduous 12-hour technical operation in the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces, according to New Mexico State Police.
According to New Mexico State Police, emergency dispatchers received a call at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026, reporting a hiking party that had traveled off-trail in the Aguirre Springs Natural Area. One of the hikers, an adult man, suffered a severe broken ankle and was unable to make his way back down the mountain.
Rescuers located the man roughly 1,000 feet above the main trail in a steep, rugged gully near the summit. Due to the challenging terrain, loose rock, and steep vertical conditions, crews initiated a specialized technical rescue.
The operation involved approximately 30 New Mexico Search and Rescue volunteers and 12 members of the Las Cruces Fire Department Technical Rescue Team, along with personnel from the Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Doña Ana County Search and Rescue, Doña Ana County Fire Rescue, and Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue.
Officials said the litter-carry rescue lasted approximately 12 hours and 20 minutes. Multiple teams continuously carried water up the mountain to support both the injured hiker and rescue personnel during the operation in high summer temperatures.
The hiker was successfully brought down the mountain and transferred to emergency medical personnel for transport to a local hospital.
Authorities remind hikers that venturing off designated trails can significantly increase the risk of injury and complicate rescue efforts. Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked trails, carry plenty of water, and remain aware of changing mountain conditions.
