Walked down since July 31, a 39-year-old man was rescued after surviving more than a week in a wild and isolated region of British Columbia.
Andrew Barber was found in poor health near a makeshift shelter which he had built with mud and sticks, about fifty kilometers northwest of Williams Lake.
His truck broke down in a remote sector in the Cariboo region, said the GRC.
Research, carried out by the research and rescue team of Quesnel, was first difficult. Its president and director, Bob Zimmerman, explains that the area to be covered “was immense”.
The first air research and attempts to capture a cellular signal remained in vain.
The breakthrough took place on Friday, when an observer aboard a helicopter of the GRC spotted A reflection of the sun on the windshield of the truck
says Mr. Zimmerman.
Bob Zimmerman, president and director of the research and rescue service of Quesnel, says that the man found in the woods between Quesnel and Williams Lake, in British Columbia, was lucky.
Photo : Radio-Canada
The vehicle was found, but Mr. Barber was five kilometers away. The emergency services saw him near a large rock on which he had written the word HELP
(Help).
He had built a small shelter with foam and mud, backed by the rock, explains Mr. Zimmerman.
The man was however in critical condition.
He struggled to stand up. I do not think he would have survived 24 hours more without our intervention.
Seriously dehydrated and suffering from a leg injury, Mr. Barber had no food and survived by drinking the water of a pond and eating what he could find. According to the rescuers, he had even padded his clothes with grass to better isolate himself from the cold.
Despite everything, the staff sergeant of the GRCBrad McKinno attributes the survival of Mr. Barber to his knowledge of nature above average
.
He underlines that the outcome would probably have been very different
Without access to water, even non -potable.
For Bob Zimmerman, this story recalls the importance of being well prepared. He recommends to anyone venturing into the distant region to bring a satellite phone.
This is the best thing to do. You can always send a text message to say where you are and what is the problem.
Andrew Barber was transported by helicopter to the hospital Williams Lakefrom where he has since received his leave.
He’s a lucky man
concludes Mr. Zimmerman.
With information from Lauren Varderdeen and the Canadian press
