RCMP, search personnel find missing teenagers
Four missing people on Grey Mountain were rescued over the weekend through the combined efforts of the Whitehorse RCMP and various local search and rescue groups.
Four missing people on Grey Mountain were rescued over the weekend through the combined efforts of the Whitehorse RCMP and various local search and rescue groups.
At about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Whitehorse RCMP were notified of several missing people. They had been travelling in a four-wheel-drive pick-up at approximately 1 a.m. when it became stuck.
After unsuccessfully attempting to free the vehicle, the group divided in two and began to make their way back to Whitehorse, police said today.
One group followed the road they had come in on and made their way back. The second group set off across the terrain, and remained unaccounted for.
The RCMP presumed the remaining missing persons were in the woods.
A ground and air search of the area was initiated with the assistance of the Emergency Measures Organization, Whitehorse District Search and Rescue personnel (supplemented by volunteers from the Canadian Rangers), the RCMP's Twin Otter fixed-wing aircraft and a locally-chartered rotary-winged aircraft.
At approximately 11:50 a.m, one of the missing people was located. Police determined there were three other people unaccounted for still in the woods.
At approximately 4:50 p.m., a second person was located.
As the search continued for the remaining two people, a third person came out of the woods near Whitehorse General Hospital.
Throughout part of the late evening and night, searchers continued to comb the woods for the final remaining person, a 16-year-old female from Whitehorse.
On Sunday, the search operation continued with additional resources from the Kluane Search and Rescue Team and Kirsty Simpson and her search dog.
At approximately 4:10 p.m., the last person was located. She had lit a signal fire to assist searchers in locating her.
She was transported by helicopter to Whitehorse where she was taken to the hospital. She is reported to be in good condition after her lengthy ordeal in the woods.
Police are acknowledging and thanking all of the community organizations and volunteers who assisted with the search and rescue operation.
Police also wish to remind all outdoor and wilderness users to take the necessary precautions when planning any trips into the back country.
Extra food, water, medical and camping or outdoor supplies should be packed in case of an emergency and friends or neighbours should be advised of itineraries, destinations and expected return times, police advise.
Comments (6)
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JT on Jun 7, 2008 at 3:22 pm
If you decided to go swimming in the yukon river and didn't have a life jacket and you had to be rescued would you be made to pay or compensate your rescuers in some way?
No. I think the real issue here is that they were young and everyone assumes they were drinking because it was 1:00 in the morning. There are a lot of people who travel around the yukon who could get lost. If it had been an older couple or two men hunting I don't think people would be asking for compensation.
The rescuers are paid to do a job risk or no risk. You can't pick and choose who should have to pay to be rescued based on fault. We are all at fault...for everything we do.
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Joe Lucas on Jun 5, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Yea, how do you get lost on grey mountian? They were probally on drugs or drinking, and should have to pay $$$ for their stupid actions.
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Susan Desjardins on Jun 5, 2008 at 8:15 am
Anthony- You are absolutely right, these people went out to party up there without even thinking about the consequences.
Sorry JT, you are wrong about it not being their fault.
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Just what do you think was going to happen when a 20 year old male and 3-16 year old females go up the backroads of Grey Mtn. at 1 am in the morning, unprepared for anything...
Hey Bruce, it looks like Big Brother is censoring comments here.
I hope a letter of thanks and apology is in the works for those SAR, EMO, and RCMP members that spent their weekend "volunteering".
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bill sanders on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:30 pm
How do you get lost on grey mountain?
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JT on Jun 4, 2008 at 7:32 am
Anthony, it was not their fault that their vehicle got stuck. I don't think they should have to pay restitution in any way. How were these people oblivious or uncaring? The people who volunteer to rescue people do so because they want to and I hope they are not as bitter about it as you are.
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Anthony on Jun 2, 2008 at 7:17 pm
This rescue doesn't fall under the 'harrowing' category but I think I huge amount of resources are consumed every time SAR, EMO and the RCMP are deployed. Those being rescued should be bound to pay restitution either in cash, equipment or volunteer labour to cover even a small fraction of the cost of their rescue.
SAR is an all volunteer organisation who regularly train and place them selves at risk often because those they are rescuing are oblivious or simply don't care that they are placing others in peril.