Oscar-winning Disney animator Glen Keane was rescued by a helicopter Wednesday morning, July 29, 2026 [2], after becoming stranded on Mummy Mountain [3].
The incident highlights the dangers of hiking in the rugged terrain of the Paradise Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona, particularly during medical crises.
Keane, 72 [1], was hiking on the mountain when he suffered a medical emergency [1]. Reports indicate his legs gave out or he became ill, leaving him unable to continue the hike and stranded on a narrow ledge [1, 6].
"I really needed help," Keane said.
The Phoenix Fire Department dispatched a helicopter to the scene to retrieve the animator. A spokesperson for the department said, "Our crew responded quickly and safely hoisted Mr. Keane to the helicopter" [1].
Keane is widely recognized for his extensive work with Disney and won an Oscar in 2018 for the short film "Dear Basketball" [6]. The rescue operation took place in the Paradise Valley region, where the steep topography of Mummy Mountain can complicate ground rescues, making an aerial extraction necessary.
While some reports indicate Keane was hiking with his grandchildren [5], other accounts do not mention companions. The primary cause of the emergency remains categorized as a medical event that rendered him immobile on the mountain slopes [1, 6].
“"I really needed help."”
This incident underscores the critical role of specialized aerial rescue units in the U.S. Southwest, where extreme terrain and heat often turn manageable hikes into life-threatening emergencies for older adults. The use of a hoist operation by the Phoenix Fire Department demonstrates the necessity of high-angle rescue capabilities in urban-adjacent wilderness areas.
