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A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-146 Griffon search and rescue crew evacuated a camper from Puzzle Lake Provincial Park, Ont., on the morning of Tuesday, July 31, after he fell ill in a remote lakeside area
The Ontario Provincial Police requested the assistance of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron to airlift the patient to hospital.
Due to high trees in the area, the Griffon pilots and flight engineer worked together to overcome windy conditions and hoist two search and rescue technicians (SAR Techs) onto a small beach.
The SAR Techs stabilized the patient for transport and hoisted him in a rescue litter onboard the helicopter. He was subsequently flown to hospital in Kingston, Ont., and transferred to ongoing medical care.
“We had to hoist in about 100 feet due to the tall trees that covered most of the area,” said MCpl Phil Graham, search and rescue technician, 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron
“We met up with the patient and his fellow campers and put him in a rescue litter for evacuation.”
Quick Facts
- SAR incidents under the federal SAR mandate are defined as “all aircraft incidents and all marine incidents in waters under federal jurisdiction. With the exception of federally owned National Parks, the overall responsibility for land and inland water SAR rests with the provinces, territories and municipalities. The Canadian Armed Forces may, however, provide assistance to land and inland water rescues when requested.”
- The OPP requested assistance to evacuate the camper due to the challenging terrain and remote location.
- The ill camper’s companions alerted emergency personnel with a cell phone.
