Quesnel Search and Rescue was called out to the Wells-Barkerville area on Sunday (Feb 8) afternoon to help respond to the activation of an SOS device.
Public Information Officer Bob Hollowenko says the original spot location was at the base of Mount Agnes near the Groundhog Lake recreation area.
“A person was injured while snowmobiling and was taken to the Groundhog Lake cabin by other members of their riding party. We were unable to get the BCEHS (BC Emergency Health Services) helicopter into that location. The pilot was unable to complete the landing due to poor visibility, so our ground team was allowed to move in and we were able to extract the subject and bring them back to the Barkerville Historic Town site location in order to transfer the subject to BC Ambulance ground.”
Hollowenko says they were originally notified at around 3:20 p.m. and it was almost 9 o’clock by the time they able to complete the transfer.
“That just has to do with the logistical challenges of getting into a location like that, securing the permission to be able to enter avalanche terrain where we are potentially putting our rescuers at risk. Luckily we were able to go in, we had an avalanche safety officer engaged, was able to look at the data and review all the risk and find a safe route in and out for our rescuers to be able to bring the subject out safely.”
Hollowenko says the injured person, a male in his 80’s, had severe injuries but that they didn’t appear to be life threatening.
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