Wilmington, IL – A hunter who fell from a tree in the Des Plaines Conservation Area was rescued early Monday morning by the Wilmington Fire Protection District. The incident, reported around 5:30 a.m., left the man unable to evacuate alone after falling 10 to 15 feet.
Using What3Words technology, which divides the world into three-meter squares, dispatchers pinpointed the hunter’s location. According to officials, the Wilmington Fire and Police District’s drone pilot deployed a thermal-imaging drone to locate the hunter in dense woods.
Emergency medical services (EMS) guided the patient to safety using real-time drone imagery. Firefighters on foot carried him for over a quarter-mile through rugged terrain. Once they reached a more accessible area, they transferred him to a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), which transported him to an awaiting ambulance.
Officials noted that covering over 100 square miles in the Midwestern conservation area presents challenges. However, What3Words and drone support enhance the department’s ability to locate injured individuals quickly.
The Wilmington Fire Protection District emphasized its dedication to aiding the injured in hard-to-reach locations using advanced technology.
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