The crew of an RCAF Cormorant helicopter rescued an injured paraglider from a mountain on Sonora Island on Sunday evening.
The helicopter from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron departed 19 Wing Comox at around 6 p.m. after the injured male called for help on his marine-band radio when his paraglider crashed onto a steep mountain face.
The call was received by the Canadian Coast Guard. Shortly thereafter, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria requested a Cormorant helicopter respond to the scene near Barnes Bay on the southern part of Sonora Island.
The crew dropped off two Search and Rescue Technicians at the top of the mountain at about 6:20 p.m. The SAR Techs carefully made their way to the paraglider’s location and stabilized him for transport. Using a rescue litter, the man was hoisted into the hovering helicopter and flown to hospital in Victoria. His condition is unknown.
Search and Rescue incidents under the federal SAR mandate are defined as 'all aircraft incidents and all marine incidents in waters under federal jurisdiction.' With the exception of federally owned National Parks, the overall responsibility for land and inland water search and rescue rests with the provinces, territories and municipalities. The Canadian Armed Forces may, however, provide assistance to land and inland water rescues when possible.