App helps police find Delta teen before hypothermia "became too severe"

Jan 3 2020, 5:28 pm

The Delta Police Department (DPD) is crediting a mobile app in helping locate a missing teenager in Burns Bog.

The Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve is a three-kilometre trail, and according to Vancouver Trails, it is the largest domed peat bog in the world.

The teen was reported as missing to on January 1 at 4:30 pm.

Police explain in a media statement that the teen had an app on their phone that was accessed by a friend, which indicated that they were likely in the Burns Bog area.

Fortunately, police say they were able to locate the individual before hypothermia became too severe.

“Around 6:30 am, January 1, one of my patrol constables and our new recruit began searching in a different area, where the bog was extremely dark and foggy,” says Staff Sergeant Brian Hill, who led the search. “The area was covered in deep puddles and thick brush, which made the search very challenging.”

The teen was ultimately located 50 metres off a trail, unconscious and in need of urgent medical assistance.

Police rushed the teenager to the hospital, where they were reunited with friends and family.

“Burns Bog is a challenging area to search for missing persons in ideal conditions – and conditions that morning were far from ideal,” says Hill. “I’m really proud of our officers for their initiative and perseverance in very challenging and uncomfortable conditions.

“Their efforts saved a life.”

Vincent PlanaVincent Plana

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