Apple Watch alerts cops to unconscious biker in roadway, California police say

Police in California are crediting a bicyclist’s Apple Watch for saving his life last month when he fell while riding.

Officers were dispatched on Jan. 22 to the man’s location when the his Apple Watch called 911, advising the “Owner of this watch has taken a hard fall,” Hermosa Beach Police said. The safety feature works by automatically calling 911 when the wearer has been immobile for about a minute after it detects a hard fall.

When police arrived to the location given by the Apple Watch, they found an unconscious man who was “bleeding profusely from his head.” He was beside the electric bicycle he had fallen off of, police said.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he stayed for several days before he was released, police said in a news release.

Police believe the man accidentally fell while on the bike, but others have reported he was attacked.

“At this time, detectives have conducted a preliminary investigation regarding the incident, which included searching the area for any surveillance cameras,” police said. “Based on the known facts at this time, it appears that this incident was the result of an accident involving a solo bicycle rider and no crime or suspects have been reported to the Hermosa Beach Police Department.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 310-318-0360 or ecahalan@hermosabeach.gov.

Hermosa Beach is about 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Apple Watch alerts cops to unconscious biker in roadway, California police say."