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Friday, December 7, 2012
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The Agassiz ❖ Harrison
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Mounties recognized for saving young girl in 2010
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BATTLING ILLNESS How the Howarths turned into champions of BC Childrens
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A gift of thanks for SAR
AWARDED FOR VALOUR
AGASSIZ
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Vancouver chef rolls out red carpet for local searchers after rescue
Jessica Peters THE OBSERVER
When a trio of fishermen found themselves in "dire straits," lost up the swollen Chehalis River and clinging to a small patch of high ground back in October, they immediately turned their thoughts to survival. They had been stranded, and then disoriented, earlier in the day when a flash rain storm filled the boggy area with chest deep water. Their first concern was attempting to stay safe and dry, if not warm, throughout the night. They did that by lighting a fire using one of the many lighters they brought along, one of their only dry socks, and a fishing license. They kept it smoldering by adding whatever wood and foliage they could find, but the flames weren't big enough to produce heat to dry their bodies. They called for help, with the minimal power and cell phone reception they had. They took turns sleeping and keeping guard. They listened for rescuers, and did hear far off shouts of Search and Rescue, along with whistles and the whop-whop-whop of a helicopter. They attempted to make contact but as day turned to dusk, and then to the darkness of night, the six-hour search was called off. "They'll come back for us tomorrow, right?" one of the men, Adam, thought to himself. This story began when the men hiked in earlier that morning. They only got in about 20 minutes of fishing before the rain started. It came down for just under 10 minutes, they said, but it was enough to force them to higher ground. They made the call at about 2 p.m., to a friend in Vancouver who has a fishing supply store. They found a 20' by 20' high spot, and made their camp. In the morning, they immediately
JESSICA PETERS / OBSERVER
Josh Wolfe, owner of Fresh Local Wild, brought his food truck to the Agassiz Search and Rescue headquarters on Saturday, and fed all the volunteers and emergency workers involved in rescuing him and his two friends when they got stranded along the Chehalis.
set out to build that fire bigger and better. Within a few hours, SAR members had located the camp. A helicopter was used to locate
the fishermen and drop two SAR volunteers to a location close to them. The helicopter then guided a jet boat up narrow, debris-filled
The above note was written below the menu as an extra thank you to volunteers.
See Pg 3 for this week’s specials
MARCO D. CEDRONE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER ICBC (MVA’S) • SLIP & FALLS • DOG BITES • PERSONAL INJURY - HOWEVER CAUSED
7070 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz BC | 604-796-0415 | www.cascadelaw.com com
channels to a location where the fishermen could be safely guided to. The jet boat was then able to evacuate the subjects. Meanwhile a ground team was also en-route in case the boat rescue failed. Shortly after they were rescued, the men were on their way. And that's normally where these stories end. Those who get lost find their way home and all is well. Sometimes the SAR volunteers will get a thank you card. Continued on X