RCMP airlift two missing Calgary hikers to safety from provincial park in BC
Two missing hikers have been rescued and airlifted to safety thanks to multiple branches of the RCMP and emergency services.
The RCMP stated that they were informed by Kananaskis Emergency Services that two hikers were overdue from a hike into Turbine Canyon on the afternoon of July 7, in a Wednesday evening release.
The Calgary couple had planned an overnight hiking trip and were expected to arrive back on Monday, July 6. When the couple missed their return date, their family contacted Kananaskis Emergency Services.
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“The search continued until approximately 9:30 pm yesterday and resumed at 6:30 am this morning,” police stated in the release. “The couple was located uninjured around 9 am by a search team in an area of Height of the Rockies Provincial Park, BC and airlifted by helicopter to a staging area where they were assessed by Emergency Medical Services.”
In addition to the Kananaskis RCMP, Canmore RCMP, Columbia Valley RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services, and RCMP Air Services assisted in the search.
Law enforcement also thanked the Kananaskis Emergency Services, Kananaskis Public Safety Alberta Parks, Alpine Helicopters, Calgary City Police, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue and Elkford Search and Rescue for “their collaboration and assistance.”
“Despite the warmer summer weather,” said Jeremy Mackenzie, a public safety specialist with Kananskis Public Safety Alberta Parks, in the release, “[we] would like to remind back country enthusiasts that current conditions in higher elevations are still snow covered and to plan accordingly.”
According to Parks Alberta, Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on Kananaskis Lakes Trail. It is a 15.1 km hike from the trailhead to the campsite.
If you are planning to enjoy some backcountry camping or hiking of your own, the RCMP make suggests bringing a satellite phone or a satellite messaging device (SPOT or inReach) and leaving a detailed route plan with a family member or friend.
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