Authorities say a Phoenix man has died from what is likely heat-related illness after spending the day hiking in the Superstitions.
A release from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said Anthony Quatela III, 25, was hiking Peralta Trail with a friend when he began to suffer the symptoms of heat-related illness.
Deputies said Quatela went out hiking with a friend at 7:30 a.m. but ran out of water. They started to fall ill around 1:30, and the man lost consciousness and died before rescuers could reach the pair, PCSO said.
The friend was treated in the parking lot for dehydration and exposure, according to Superstition Fire and Medical.
The case remains under investigation by PCSO and the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office. Authorities said they suspected the man died from exposure to extreme heat.
Deputies said the sheriff's office responded to three heat-related emergencies within a four-hour period Saturday in the Superstitions. The two other incidents were minor and those suffering symptoms are expected to recover.
