Injured hiker rescued from remote Vancouver Island location

An injured hiker was safely rescued from a remote area on Vancouver Island’s west coast after fog prevented a helicopter evacuation overnight.

According to the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, crews were called to assist with a medical rescue on June 4th after a person suffered a lower-leg injury in a difficult-to-access location.

An initial attempt to reach the injured hiker was made the previous night, but worsening fog created unsafe conditions for a helicopter hoist operation.

With the rescue unable to proceed, Parks Canada personnel remained with the hiker overnight while crews waited for weather conditions to improve.

At first light, the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad’s CDFL/Hoist Team responded alongside Ascent Helicopters to complete the rescue.

The hiker was successfully extracted from the area and transferred to waiting BC Emergency Health Services paramedics for further assessment and care.

The rescue squad credited the successful operation to the combined efforts of Parks Canada, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ascent Helicopters and BC Emergency Health Services.

No information about the hiker’s age, identity or condition was released.