Vancouver Island’s search and rescue teams had a demanding long weekend, marked by multiple mountain bike rescues, including a critical helicopter extraction near Shawnigan Lake on Saturday.
In the latest incident, two members of the Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (SAR) long-line rescue team, along with a member from the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, were dispatched to aid a severely injured mountain biker. The rescue effort was supported by Airspan Helicopters of Sechelt.
The operation was initiated in response to a call from Cowichan SAR, which was already engaged in the rescue. Jennifer Hoard of Arrowsmith SAR explained, “A mountain biker had veered off trail and sustained multiple severe injuries. It was crucial to extract him as quickly as possible.”
The 55-year-old rider had suffered serious chest, back, and head injuries after losing control on a steep descent along the double black trail known as Flying Dutchman in the Burnt Bridge area, west of Shawnigan Lake. The man, who lost consciousness during the accident, was uncertain how much time had elapsed before he managed to call 911.
“When he called 911, he believed he’d been in and out of consciousness for about two hours but wasn’t sure due to the severity of his injuries,” said Carlie Reynolds of Cowichan SAR.
Cowichan SAR members hiked along a steep single-track trail to reach the injured man and assess his condition. Reynolds noted that the on-site medic determined that transporting the man down the mountain would likely exacerbate his injuries and pain, reducing his chances of survival.
Consequently, for the second day in a row, a helicopter with a long line was deployed to lift an injured mountain biker out of the rugged terrain and transport him to a waiting ambulance.
This rescue followed a similar incident on Friday, where Arrowsmith SAR responded to a 70-year-old mountain biker who had fallen down a steep embankment in the Englishman River Falls Park area.
Reflecting on the weekend’s events, Hoard remarked, “Accidents can happen anytime, and it’s important to have people ready to help. It always feels good to be out there, assisting those in our community who need it.”
related topics:
