An injured hiker was airlifted from a remote section of the West Coast Trail after suffering a suspected lower-limb injury.
The rescue took place Friday, September 4th, near kilometre 72 of the trail, in an area known as the Old Steam Donkey. The rugged terrain made a traditional stretcher carry impossible, according to the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad.
Members of the Parks Canada Visitor Safety Team were initially deployed and reached the injured hiker, where they stabilized the patient and assessed the best way to safely remove them from the trail.
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue was also called in to assist, but crews ultimately determined that a specialized helicopter hoist would be required.
The Alberni Valley Rescue Squad responded alongside Arrowsmith Search and Rescue and Ascent Helicopters. The hiker was hoisted from the trail before being transferred to BC Emergency Health Services and taken for further medical care.
“Different agencies. Different roles. One goal. Safe patient care,” the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad said in its recap of the operation.
Crews thanked Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the Parks Canada Visitor Safety Team, Ascent Helicopters, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue and Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue for working together to complete the extraction.
The incident came just days after a separate rescue along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
In that incident, an 18-year-old hiker was airlifted from China Beach after suffering a head injury that left her unable to hike out.
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue, Shirley Fire Rescue, North Shore Rescue, Talon Helicopters and BC Emergency Health Services assisted with that operation.
