An injured hiker was rescued from Widgeon Falls in Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park Sunday afternoon thanks to Coquitlam Search and Rescue and a Talon helicopter.
Search manager Michael Coyle said the man had injured his leg on the hike and needed to be flown out to a waiting ambulance in a long-line rescue.
The man initially called for help on a cellphone but search crews were unable to reach him after the first call. With limited information, it took some time before searchers could locate the man, Coyle said.
“Widgeon Falls is quite remote,” he added. “I think [the pilots] thought it would be easy to fly in and do the rescue but it became hard to locate where he was.”
Several search and rescue members hiked into the area to locate and assist the man, who was eventually flown to safety.
Canada Day weekend is one of the busiest times of year for Coquitlam Search and Rescue, Coyle said, noting that B.C. Day long weekend can also be busy.
The warm weather has many people exploring the outdoors, he added, and search crews are getting at least one call per week.
“Things are definitely getting busier,” Coyle said. “Usually Canada Day weekend is one of the busiest ones.”
Last week, Coquitlam SAR volunteers took part in a search after a 16-year-old boy fell to his death while hiking.
BE PREPARED TO HIKE:
Coquitlam Search and Rescue’s Mike Coyle said it is important that people are prepared when hiking in the woods and always have their 10 essentials:
1. Flashlight and spare batteries
2. Extra food and water
3. Extra clothing (rain, wind and water protection)
4. Navigational aids (map, compass, altimeter, GPS, chart, radio, mobile phone)
5. Fire starter
6. First aid kit
7. Emergency shelter
8. Sun protection
9. Pocket knife
10. Signalling device (whistle, mirror, satellite phones)
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