At noon on Sunday, June 12, Coquitlam Search and Rescue (Coq SAR), the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS), Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD), BC Parks and BC Hydro Buntzen Lake Wardens responded to an injured hiker on the Diez Vista Trail located on the west slope of Buntzen Lake.
“We first had to locate the subject and determine the exact injuries so we could assess how best to extract her,” said Dwight Yochim, a volunteer Search and Rescue Manager for Coq. SAR. SVFD and BCAS were first to arrive and SVFD headed up the trail with several members to the subject. Coq SAR was close behind after having taken part in the Teddy Bear Parade and then picnic. In fact, members of the team were at the picnic with the Coquitlam Command truck when the call came in. The team left the picnic and were soon carrying a stretcher with 20 members into the injured hiker.
“When we started the call we were considering all options including carrying her, using our ATV Argo and even a helicopter transport,” explained Yochim. “In the end her injuries and her location didn’t warrant a helicopter and our Argo had mechanical problems but we had enough people on scene to do a stretcher carry,” Yochim said.
From the start to the finish it took five hours to complete the rescue carrying the subject out with SVFD and Coq. SAR members. She was handed over to BCAS who took the hiker to the hospital. BC Parks offered assistance and BC Hydro helped control traffic to ensure safe passage for everyone.
The team would like to extend thanks to the Anmore Grocery store for allowing them to set up command and for the ladies who provided the team with a fantastic lunch at the end of the task.