Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue (SAR) says injured and lost hikers made Friday a “busy one” for its crews, culminating in a helicopter being flown in due to unfavourable trail conditions.
Around 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, SAR “got the wheels rolling” for three lost hikers north of Bear Beach, which is on the Juan de Fuca trail, reads a social media post.
But before rescue crews arrived on scene, another call came in about a hiker who sustained a back injury just south of Botanical Beach, prompting SAR volunteers to split their efforts.
One team headed toward the lost hikers, while another team followed close behind crews from the Port Renfrew Volunteer Fire Department, who were requested to attend to the injured hiker, according to Juan de Fuca SAR in a Facebook post.
SAR says the first team “made successful contact” with the lost hikers and guided them back to a command post, where they were able to warm up and dry off.
“These hikers did the right thing once they found themselves in a precarious position by staying in place and calling for help,” said SAR.
The second team, meanwhile, had to call in more reinforcements.
“With team two pushing towards Port Renfrew, we received an update on the trail conditions and the decision was made to request helicopter support for transportation out of the park,” said SAR.
It says the hiker, who was in stable condition, was transferred to a waiting ambulance, where paramedics then transported them to hospital.
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“We’d like to express our gratitude to all the volunteers from Port Renfrew VFD, Alberni Valley SAR hoist team, RCM SAR 37 and Ascent Helicopters for the assistance,” added SAR.
Juan de Fuca SAR says “unpaid professionals,” like firefighters and health-care workers, make up its team of roughly 45 members. They’re on call 24/7 and primarily respond to the Juan de Fuca electoral area on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, but also provide mutual aid to other parts of the Island and the Gulf Islands.
SAR has safety tips, including what to do if you get lost, on its website.
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Ethan Morneau
