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19 Wing copter crew helps to evacuate injured hiker in Fraser Valley

The crew of an RCAF Cormorant helicopter helped to evacuate an injured hiker early Monday morning in the Fraser Valley.

The crew of an RCAF Cormorant helicopter assisted RCMP and Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) crews from Chilliwack and Harrison-Kent, to evacuate an injured hiker from the banks near Chehalis River, north of Chilliwack, early Monday morning.

The hiker had been walking a narrow trail along the Chehalis, just north of Harrison River, when he fell approximately 100 metres to a rocky outcropping below.

Although GSAR and RCMP were able to locate the man and provide aid, they requested assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces to evacuate the man as the challenging nature of terrain would have made evacuation by ground difficult.

The Cormorant helicopter from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 19 Wing Comox, arrived overhead just after midnight.

“We had excellent communication with the GSAR personnel and we were able to locate the scene quickly,” said Capt. Luc Coates, aircraft commander. “Because of the tall trees and steep terrain, we had to hover quite high and it took a lot of cooperation amongst the crew to ensure we got our Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) on the ground and the patient hoisted safely.”

After a hoist of 240 feet, the SAR Techs worked with the GSAR team to get the patient into a rescue litter. Once he was on board the Cormorant, he was flown to Vancouver, where he was transferred to BC Ambulance in stable condition.

— 19 Wing Comox