Going back to (before) the beginning.
Like many SAR teams in BC, Coquitlam SAR has it’s founding roots planted in tragic circumstances. On February 1st 1972, two Coquitlam teenagers became lost while hiking on Burke Mountain. Coquitlam RCMP with assistance from the Canadian Forces 442 Rescue Squadron, the North Shore Emergency Measures Organization Rescue Squad (Now North Shore Rescue), spent two days on the ice covered slopes. Sadly, one of the boys did not survive.
Following the tragedy, District of Coquitlam Parks and Recreation Director, and Coquitlam SAR team founder Don Cunnings moved into action and within weeks a motion to form Coquitlam SAR was before council. 48 years later, we have evolved from our roots as a “District rescue group skilled in rock-face climbing” to be a multi-disciplined, regional SAR team. However, the intentions behind the emotional pleas of Wells Crawford’s mother following that tragedy still remain our focus.