Search and rescue teams come together to lift injured hiker from Juan de Fuca Trail

Teamwork proved key as a series of search and rescue teams came together to get a hiker off the Juan de Fuca Trail on Sunday, July 19. Juan de Fuca SAR was called out that afternoon to help someone with an ankle injury, and the extremely difficult terrain led the team to call on Metchosin Search and Rescue, BC Emergency Health Services and North Shore Rescue's long-line team for the extraction. The injured person was lifted from the bush safely. Juan de Fuca SAR said on social media: "We would like to wish our hiker a smooth recovery. Most of our calls are for lower limb injuries. Remember to wear proper footwear as the forest floor looks solid but hides rotten wood and tree wells - prime for ankle injuries." The article goes on to cite BC Search and Rescue Association data: injuries are the leading reason for search and rescue callouts in the province, 95 per cent of 2022-2024 cases involved people close to home, and those aged 20 to 29 make up about 30 per cent of search subjects. BCSARA represents 3,200 volunteers on 78 teams responding to about 1,960 incidents a year, and points people to adventuresmart.ca for safety resources.