On March 1, Army Spc. Faraz Farooqui, a combat medic stationed at Fort Carson, had only been in the Colorado Springs area two days when he decided to take on the challenge of the Manitou Incline.

“I was told that it wasn’t a good idea, because I had not been acclimated to this altitude yet,” said Farooqui, who had just completed advanced technical training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

He decided to go anyway, and because of that decision, a life was saved.

Farooqui, who hopes to eventually join Army Special Forces, was carrying his aid pack with him during his ascent. The hike was part recreation and part training, he said.

When he reached the top, he was struck by the view of the surrounding area. He also noticed that a man appeared to be in distress.

“There was a man lying on the ground, with his arm over his face, and another person leaning over him,” Farooqui said. “I went over to investigate.”

After asking a few questions, Farooqui determined that the man was likely having a heart attack.

“Symptoms like pain in the left arm and shortness of breath are considered red flags,” he said.

When Farooqui realized what was happening, the breathtaking vista of the Incline underwent a transformation. Now, it was the scene of a medical emergency.

Taking charge of the scene, he called 911, organized bystanders to assist him, and used the equipment in his pack to take vital signs.

“The dispatcher told me it wound take the responders a while to get to the top,” he said. “So I was planning to sit with this gentleman for an hour or so.”

Aided by fellow hikers, Farooqui wrapped the stricken man in an aluminum blanket, elevated his legs to protect from potential shock, and talked with the man to assess his alertness.

“He was awake, and alert, and when I asked him questions, his answers made sense,” Farooqui said. “Those were all good signs.”

After about 40 minutes, one of the hikers saw a helicopter approaching.

“I was surprised that they got there so quickly,” Farooqui said. “I was also relieved.”

Farooqui and other summit hikers carried the man about a quarter-mile up the mountain to an El Paso County Search and rescue jeep. Riding along in the vehicle, he gave the responders a detailed report of incident and helped insert an emergency intravenous catheter into the patient.

Responders transferred the man from the jeep to a UCHealth Lifeline helicopter, which airlifted the patient to a nearby hospital. The man is now recovering, according to his family.

“I wished I could have done more for him, but I also knew I had done the best I could with what I had,” Farooqui said.

Featuring more than 2,700 steps and gaining 2,000 feet in elevation over less than a mile, the Manitou Incline can be a grueling trek, according to VisitCOS.com. In April 2025, a 63-year-old Oregon man collapsed and died while hiking the Incline.

Farooqui credits his Army training and his upbringing with instilling the values that compelled him to help a stranger in distress.

“My parents blessed me with a good home, a good family and a good education. I feel it’s my responsibility to give back, and to try to be a light in the world,” said Farooqui, whose father is a physician.

“I can’t say for certain what would have happened (if I hadn’t been there). But I do believe I was in the right place, at the right time, for the right reason.”