Squamish Search and Rescue respond to three calls over weekend

Another gorgeous sunny weekend spelled another eventful two days for Squamish Search and Rescue.

Crews responded to three calls over Saturday and Sunday (July 25, 26), according to rescue manager BJ Chute.

The first call came Saturday when a boat flipped over in the Squamish River. Rescuers were asked to assist, but before they arrived at the scene, people in the area with a boat managed to pick up the group, which, at the point, were at the Echo Lake trailhead.

As a result, SAR stood down from the call.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some aerial footage from yesterday’s rescue in the Tantalus. If you squint, you might be able to see our team perched on the rocks. Our new hoist system is a game changer. Once again, thank you @blackcombhelicopters & @clear_to_hoist! . . #aviation #aviationphotography #aviationlovers #helicopter #helicopters #rescue #avgeek #SAR #heli #canada #pilot #aircrew #lineman #searchandrescue #hoistoperator #winch #hoist #verticalmag #thatothersmaylive #rotorhead #chopper #rescue #wildfire #fire #firefighter #EMS #medic #teammassif #massifgear #emergencyservices @verticalmag @verticalvalor @blackcombhelicopters @airbus_helicopters @massifgear @search_and_rescue_in_the_world @gopro @bcadvsmart

A post shared by Squamish Search and Rescue (@ssarteam) on Jul 27, 2020 at 7:34am PDT

Sunday, at around noon, a hiker suffered a lower leg injury from a fall on Mount Niobe in the Tantalus Range.

"It was determined that the easiest and safest way to extract that person was with our helicopter winch system," Chute said.

A helicopter picked up the injured person and flew them to Squamish Airport, where they were loaded onto an ambulance and sent to Squamish Hospital.

Not too long after that call, rescuers were sent out to help a mountain biker who crashed about a third of the way down the Entrails route near Alice Lake. This biker had a lower leg injury as well, Chute said.

"We used the winch again since it was already out with the Tantalus call," he said.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Sunday afternoon for the team. We received two separate calls at once and both ended up requiring an air evacuation. Thank you @blackcombhelicopters & @clear_to_hoist for the collaboration as always. #tantalus #alicelake

A post shared by Squamish Search and Rescue (@ssarteam) on Jul 27, 2020 at 7:51am PDT

This patient, too, was lifted to Squamish Airport and then taken to hospital.

However, Squamish Search and Rescue wasn't just going out on calls.

Chute said the BC Adventure Smart prevention team was at the Stawamus Chief parking lot on Sunday morning. The Chief peaks trails weren't open yet, but since the area was already busy, these volunteers helped educate and make sure recreationalists were ready for their adventures.

It's hoped this will reduce the number of distress calls rescuers have to respond to.