The Golden and District Search and Rescue team got in a lot of training in July, which is a good thing because by the end of the month they were receiving a high number of calls.
On July 29 GADSAR assisted the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) and the Golden Fire Department in responding to a vehicle incident approximately 30 kilometres up the 12 Mile Rd. Three members arrived via helicopter and slung the patient to an awaiting STARS Air Ambulance helicopter for transport to further care.
On July 29 GADSAR assisted BCAS with an over the embankment rescue. GADSAR members attended the scene of a single vehicle approx 100 m down a steep creek bed. A single seriously injured female patient was heli-slinged to the awaiting STARS helicopter and transferred into their care.
On Aug. 4, GADSAR assisted a group of rafters 80 km up the Bush River Road north west of Golden. RCMP were notified of an emergency via a SPOT personal location device. Three GADSAR members arrived at the scene via helicopter and transported an injured male back to Golden. The patient was transferred to the BCAS for further care.
On Aug. 6 GADSAR responded to an ATV roll over up the Quartz Creek Forest Service Road to assist the RCMP and BCAS. The lone female driver was pinned between a tree and the ATV.
GADSAR assisted in removing and packaging the patient. A rope rescue system was utilized to bring her to the road where she was transferred to BCAS for further care.
On Aug. 13, GADSAR assisted the Invermere RCMP in responding to a SPOT personal locator beacon emergency activation. Three GADSAR members responded via helicopter from Golden and located the two climbers at South Howser Spire. The injured climber was packaged and transported back to Golden.
On Aug. 19 GADSAR responded to a SPOT beacon activation in the Bugaboos. Three members responded via helicopter to the scene. All three members of the climbing party were heli-slung off Eastpost Spire. A single male climber was transferred to BCAS in Golden.
On Sept. 2, GADSAR responded to a request to assist a hand glider that had crashed in the Mt. 7 area near Golden. A helicopter rescue team was able to locate the subject who had minor injuries. The team transported the subject by air and transferred him to BCAS.
On Sept. 6 GADSAR responded to Kinbasket Lake to search for an overdue boating party from the previous evening. Three members responded via helicopter and one member via ground/boat to the Bush Harbour area. Three adults, a three-year-old and three-month-old were all located safe and sound near the Sullivan Arm by the heli-team.
On Sept. 6 GADSAR responded to the Bush River area for a Spot Beacon activation. Three members responded via helicopter to the area. A single forestry worker was found unharmed.
On Sept. 9, GADSAR was called out to assist BCAS with the location and over-the-embankment rescue of a stranded motorist. Five members responded via ground from Golden. Access to the subject involved ropes and extensive chainsawing down a steep bank, approximately 100 feet. Egress involved a dual rope system to get the subject up to the road where he was handed off to BCAS.
To keep up to date on search and rescue, go to the Golden and District Search and Rescue Facebook page.
