Eight people reportedly filming a religious reality show called Bad Girls Gone God had to be rescued off a mountain in Arizona.
Three people were taken to hospital for heat-related problems. The Phoenix Fire Department said on Facebook that the people on the women’s retreat needed help to leave the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain.
Fire officials said the group began their hike around 7am and didn’t bring a lot of water or other supplies.
Several of the hikers told KPNX that they had flown to Pheonix from out of state to take part in the faith-based reality programme.
They added that the show is focused on health and wellness and that those taking part engage in physical exercises.
One of the hikers, Kristin Livingston, told KPNX that the hike was supposed to be a “spiritual” challenge but that they didn’t realize how difficult the endeavour would be.
“We definitely didn’t realize just how intense it was,” Ms Livingston said.
Two women, aged 50 and 42, and a 24-year-old man were taken by ambulance to hospital after hiking in heat reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38C), according to CBS News. All were reported to be in stable condition after being escorted off the mountain.
The remaining five people were taken down the mountain via helicopter or wheel basket.
“Today was one for the books!” the fire department wrote as they posted a video of the rescue.
Fire officials said the hikers were spread out along the trail, making the rescue effort more complicated.
Jasmine Hunter told KPHO that the group were there as part of the reality show.
“When we get together, we praise, we worship, we do different activities that not only test our physical but our spiritual capabilities as well,” she said.
Ms Hunter added that she was one of the people who made it down the mountain first and that she was unaware that others were fighting to get back down.
“They noticed they weren’t coming, the stream slowing down. We couldn’t reach anybody on the phone anymore and that’s when we were like, we need to activate,” she said.
“We had no idea going into it that this apparently was one of the hardest trails in Phoenix,” Ms Livingston told KPHO. “I think they just have dehydration and things like that. In the name of Jesus, they’re going to be OK!”
