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Courtenay resident home after nearly a week stranded on beach

Following nearly a week stranded on a beach in Haida Gwaii living off minimal food and a small stream for water, Courtenay resident Elaine Campbell returned home Wednesday.

Following nearly a week stranded on a beach in Haida Gwaii living off minimal food and a small stream for water, Courtenay resident Elaine Campbell returned home Wednesday.

RCMP confirm Campbell, 62, and her partner Folkert "Fred" Wydenes, were travelling around May 30 when they decided to stop along the northwest side of Haida Gwaii. They anchored their main 40-foot fishing vessel in Otard Bay and took a smaller aluminum skiff into Tian Bay when the boat overturned and both were thrown into the water.

Wydenes was unable to hold onto the boat and floated away.

Officials say neither Campbell nor Wydenes were wearing life jackets that were on board at the time.

Media reports note Campbell survived for six days on one granola bar, a banana, water from a stream and a fire she lit with a disposable lighter.

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