Last week, area search and rescue teams were looking forward to some training at Little Qualicum Falls on Sunday.
Little did they know they would be needed for a real-life rescue on Saturday in the hills above Nanoose Bay.
A Victoria man was tired, cold but not seriously hurt after being rescued at Bonnell Falls.
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue’s Ken Neden told The NEWS the man was hiking with a friend on a trail near the falls and proceeded down a muddy slippery section with the aid of a rope that was in place.
“He slipped down the last 30 feet or so and luckily didn’t hurt himself,” said Neden. “He was however unable to get back up on his own.”
Neden said the man’s friend called the RCMP for help who then called Arrowsmith Search and Rescue to assist at 3 p.m. Saturday.
“An SAR and RCMP member were able to get close to the subject to confirm he was OK while the rope team set up a system to lower an attendant,” said Neden.
“The man was put into a rescue harness and brought back up safely. He was tired and cold but not seriously hurt.”
The teams set up a highline across the gorge to simulate the rescue of a stranded person in the middle of the river.
Despite the poor weather, Neden said the exercise went very well as complex rope systems were put in place and tested. An attendant was sent out on the highline then lowered to the ground. Several techniques were tested to get the attendant across the gorge and lowered to simulate a rescue.
“Thanks to the 22 volunteer search and rescue members for working hard in the bad weather and to B.C. Parks for the use of Little Qualicum Falls Park,” said Neden.
