Search and Rescue Takes Rest After Long Night

Sunday, October 18, 2009 11:48 AM

Prince George, B.C. - Members of the Prince George Search and Rescue were heading off to bed Sunday morning after what Prince George Search and Rescue President, Ron Alton describes as an incredible effort. The team members had rescued a spelunker from Prince George, who had fallen in a cave exploring expedition on Fang Mountain , in the McGregor Mountains east of Prince George.

At around 3:00 Saturday afternoon, the local search and rescue (along with Sartech out of Comox) was advised by a call from Texas that a 45 year old man had fallen into a cave on Fang Mountain and was in serious condition. The injured man was one of three who had been part of the expedition.

“We were able to get a local helicopter company to fly us to the scene and we arrived there about 5 pm, to find the man not far from the cave” says Alton, “He was suffering from a number of medical issues and we began to package him up and began to sling him down the mountain to a point where the SARTECH helicopter out of Comox would be able to pick him up.”

Meantime a Buffalo aircraft dropped flares around the scene, in what everyone in the search party describes as very rough terrain to give those on the ground some light to be able to move the injured man. “It took us about 4 to 5 hours to get him down the mountain side to where he could be picked up” says Alton “There were about 40 people in all involved in the rescue.”

Some of the rescue crews remain on the scene today picking up the gear that was left behind as the rescue proceeded. Alton says it’s expected everyone will be back later today.

The area where the accident occurred is off the Herrick River in a remote area about 110 kms north east of Prince George.

Hospital officials say the injured man whose identity has not been released is now in stable condition due to the efforts of the Search and Rescue.

Buffalo Sits At PG Airport Waiting To Return To Base After Successful Search

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Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 11:48 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Junco on October 18 2009 12:17 PM

Good job everyone!

Posted by: Howrd_B_Stern on October 18 2009 3:00 PM

Awesome job by the PG Search & Rescue. I would like to be able to help this organization out or even volunteer. How does one go about doing that?

Posted by: soopinionated on October 18 2009 4:36 PM

Great job SAR and everyone involved. The survivors of this incident are lucky that you exist. My thanks to you in what could have easily been a recovery mission rather than a rescue mission.

Posted by: Bridget on October 18 2009 4:48 PM

Incredible efforts by all who participated! I've hiked up Fang Mountain and a fall in one of the chambers of that cave system can be fatal. And to pack an injured man down that steep and rugged mountain in the dark. Absolutely incredible!

Posted by: BCPilotguy on October 18 2009 6:09 PM

Howard_B_Stern, if you are interested in coming out with us keep an eye on our website late next summer, it's www.pgsar.ca. We usually do our training intake then, and you'll find a whole bunch of information there.

Posted by: Howrd_B_Stern on October 18 2009 6:22 PM

Thanks BC Pilot Guy. I Have some bush skills and my wilderness First Aid certification. Just seems to be a waste to not utilize it.

Posted by: corruption on October 18 2009 11:08 PM

hope they send him the bill

Posted by: Dirtyrottenresearcher on October 19 2009 7:27 AM

Great work by PG SAR, Cave Rescue and the SAR Techs.

On another note, I am personally opposed to as Corruption put it "sending him the bill." First, in this particular accident which was the failure of a large rock slab, there is no blame that lies with the victim of his companions - this rock fall could have happened with anyone. Second, the problems with charging victims for the taxpayer funded-services provided by government, such as police, fire and rescue are that someone might not call when help is needed , thinking that there would be a bill coming, and thus a bad situation might be made into a worse one. As well, were one to send bills for services that are in effect funded by all of us, where would it stop? If you need rescue in a car accident, should rescue send you the bill. It is a dangerous road to go down. Third, most of the people involved in repsonding to this emergency were volunteers. Volunteers often do this job because they can see themselves in similar situations; they know the area,and have a sincere skill set to share as well as a strong desire to serve. Charging fees for rescue services would be a major mistake. Even experienced people have accidents, and without that experience, where would you get rescue volunteers?

Again well done everyone! Your prompt and considered action saved a man's life.

Posted by: detoe43 on October 19 2009 7:40 AM

Corruption, if you are ever unfortunate to be involved in a traffic accident & require emergency services should we get your name & info now so we can be ready to forward the charges to you?
Great job SAR.

Posted by: interceptor on October 19 2009 8:21 AM

Awesome outcome guys - Does anyone know if this was called in from a "Spot" beacon or how did the call get through? I am thinking of getting one of those for snowmobile trips.

Posted by: vocer on October 19 2009 8:33 AM

"hope they send him the bill"

Corruption... you could have at least shown some concern for the victim before spouting off. This is the one and only cave accident that a had an official call out on Fang Mountain ever...

Read dirtyrottonreseacher's comment over and over until you get it.

Posted by: vocer on October 19 2009 8:35 AM

interceptor.....The call was picked up from a call on a sat phone when 911 was dialed.

Posted by: interceptor on October 19 2009 8:40 AM

Thanks Vocer - that makes more sense, they seemed to have alot of information for just the emergency call of a beacon.

Posted by: corruption on October 19 2009 11:27 AM

i would feel sorry for the guy if he got struck down in traffic but when they willingly climb a mountain and fall off or get lost why should tax payers have to pay for his stupidity? so maybe i will go hiking today and have no idea where im going and when i get lost i will just call 911 and you guys will cone give me a free helicopter ride home?

Posted by: Loki on October 19 2009 12:27 PM

you only get the helo ride if you are near death. Still want a ride?

The provincial Emergency Program is operated by the BC government to have systems in place for every conceivable contingency. That includes the fire service, natural disasters, just about any emergency of any size. They also happen to have a place for SAR volunteers. That is the real front-line. Those un-paid professionals that require a 150 hour course and regular on-going training, plus the acquisition of there personal equipment. We added it up one day and just to be in the field for a search, each person wears or carries over $3000 worth of stuff.

As to the people that get lost: Stuff happens. Some are better prepared with some a combination of knowledge, experience, equipment, and planning. Some are far too ill equipped.

When your little 6 yo girl wonders over to see the wildlife and gets distracted and wonders 100 meters from your camp, she is fine. It is momma and papa that will be climbing the walls. If you think that 100 meters is not far, it is actually out of earshot in the forest and one cannot see the subject more than 20 meters away in the forest.

I have a challenge for you corruption:
At this time of year, go for a walk at about noon with nothing more than you would carry for a day hike. Stay over night till noon. I bet you would puss out before dark.

By the way, every single SAR member is required to do just that, usually in November, girls and boys at individual solo camps. And a snow cave weekend, and an orienteering course in December. Rain or shine, mostly rain, SAR will find you and get you out!

Posted by: vocer on October 19 2009 2:59 PM

So Corruption... your suggesting that people should never climb a mountain, ride in a canoe, ride a bicycle (which if you look a stats is more dangerous than climbing a mountain)..hell even go for a walk.. and if you do and you are hurt to the point that you cant help yourself that any help you receive should be at your cost. Well if you ever get in an accident and need help from let's say from an ambulance... please take a picture of yourself accepting the bill from the government. I would like to see the expression on you face.

Posted by: SirVeyor on October 19 2009 8:03 PM

There are no words to describe the likes of .... Corruption .... on the day his life or that of one of his loved ones is in danger, I'm sure his tune would change. And if it doesn't, he'd get what he deserves.

Posted by: interceptor on October 19 2009 9:35 PM

So according to "corruption" you are only entitled to emergency services if you are within city limits... or does that have contingents too - like if the guy struck down in traffic was jaywalking, would he then be remiss and undeserving of care? Maybe the ambulance could stop half way and turn back if the jaywalker was found at fault...