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Vernon Search and Rescue's public demonstration of their new winch rescue. (Photo Credit: Vernon Search and Rescue)
The temperatures were cold and the terrain was tough, but that didn't stop Vernon Search and Rescue (SAR) from rescuing a man injured in the cold.
BC Ambulance Service requested Vernon Search and Rescue's help at about 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon to assist in getting an injured hunter out of the wilderness. According to Leigh Pearson, the search manager on duty, the man, whom he estimates was in his mid-50s, had dislocated or broken his hip while hunting about 8-10 km east of Lumby. Temperatures were “extremely cold” says Pearson, at about -16° C.
Vernon SAR using the winch to help the RCMP investigate earlier this month. (Photo Credit: Vernon Search and Rescue)
Because of the rough terrain, Vernon SAR had to use a helicopter winch rescue to get the man out safely. By 3:00 p.m., the man was safely in hospital.
The Vernon SAR's helicopter winch rescue is actually a new feature for their team. “We're the only group in Canada that's using the helicopter winch rescue, actually,” says Pearson. “This would've been our third deployment.” The helicopter rescue only became active about six weeks ago, after all the training was completed.
“It's going to be a very useful tool,” says Pearson. “It's really quite remarkable what they can do.”
*Cover Photo Credit: Vernon Search and Rescue*
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