News Releases

A mountaineering course on Vancouver Island took a turn for the worse for a 19-year-old male from Vermont on Saturday afternoon, July 15. The group, hiking near Knight Inlet, had to call for help when the young man began having great difficulty breathing and was going in and out of consciousness. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria received the call and immediately launched a Buffalo aircraft and Cormorant helicopter from 19 Wing Comox.

The Buffalo crew, already in the air on a search mission, was retasked to the area at the foot of Mount Waddington, where they found the site easily.

"They were definitely prepared," said Master Cpl. Janick Gilbert, search and rescue technician (SAR Tech) team member. "They had set up an orange tarp and had a GPS and radio, so they were able to call in their coordinates and the patient's condition. Having the proper equipment can be key to survival and having these items may have saved this young man's life."

Due to the serious nature of the man's condition, the two SAR Techs parachuted to a tight ridgeline near the area where the patient was waiting. The SAR Tech team lead, Sgt. Sean Calis, sustained injuries to his leg and head when he landed in the heavily treed and mountainous terrain. In spite of his injuries, he was able to carry on with the mission.

Master Cpl. Gilbert and Sgt. Calis made radio contact and then proceeded to the patient. "The young man was being cared for by one of the members of the group, who is a BC paramedic," said Master Cpl Gilbert. "She had everything ready for us and had made the decision to call emergency. It was a good call on her part.

"The patient was stable, conscious and in pain when we arrived, though he was in good hands with the paramedic. We continued medical protocols, while preparing the patient for transport.

"The Cormorant was on scene shortly after. They hovered above us and then hoisted the patient to the helicopter in a basket. Master Cpl Dean Adams, one of the SAR Techs on the Cormorant, then double hoisted myself and the team lead on board."

The Cormorant crew then flew directly to St. Joseph's General Hospital in Comox where the patient and Sgt. Calis were examined by emergency room staff. Sgt. Calis' was released and is expected to return to duty shortly. No further information is known on the condition of the young man.

The Buffalo crew was released from the mission and returned to 19 Wing to pick up three SAR Techs, Sgt. Ron Condly, Master Cpl. Chad Hildebrandt and Cpl. Stephan Richard. The Buffalo crew and the three SAR Techs then participated in the town of Comox 60^th anniversary celebrations. The SAR Techs jumped into Marina Park, to awaiting families from the local community. The jump was dedicated to the 413 Squadron SAR crewmembers who were injured or killed on July 13 in a tragic Cormorant crash on the East Coast.

Buffalo crew: Capt. Mike Hickman, aircraft commander, Capt. Scott Greenfield, first officer, Capt. Dan Brennan, navigator, Sgt. John Rivard, flight engineer, Sgt. Sean Calis and Master Cpl. Janick Gilbert, SAR Techs.

Cormorant crew: Capt. Sean Morris, aircraft commander, Capt. Rob Johnson, first officer, Sgt Phil Robin, flight engineer, Master Cpls. JP Benoit and Dean Adams, SAR Techs.

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For more information please contact 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Captain Cheryl Robinson (250) 339-8201.

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria): (250) 363 2995.