A trip into thick bush to find water for his cattle went wrong for a local man earlier today – however the quick actions of the police helicopter crew  ensured that he was found quickly and did not require any medical attention.

Around 11.00am today the man ventured into the bush in the Colliers area of Gun Bay. He was looking for well water for his cattle. However, despite his local knowledge the man soon became disorientated in the bush. Luckily he had taken a cellphone with him and when he realised that he was lost and required assistance he immediately dialed 9-1-1.

Shortly before 3.00pm the RCIPS Air Operations Unit was dispatched to the location. The man continued to speak to the emergency operator via his cellphone, describing his point of entry to the bush and the route he thought he had taken. As a result, the helicopter crew was able to locate him with ten minutes. The man was located on the ironshore approximately a mile from the main road, but due to the density of the bush he was unable to find his way back to the road.

The helicopter was unable to land at the location because of the rough terrain. However, as this type of situation is one which forms part of the rigorous training the crew undertake, they knew exactly what to do. The pilot brought the helicopter  as close to the man as he could. He hovered around 3 feet from the ground while his Tactical Flight Officer donned a safety harness. The TFO assisted the man safely onto the skids and then maneuvered him into the helicopter.

The man was tired and dehydrated. The crew supplied him with water and took him to the East End playing fields where local officers were waiting to meet them.  The man refused medical attention but was grateful to the crew for locating him so quickly. Local officers then took him home to his concerned family.

Air Operations Commander, Steve Fitzgerald, said: “ Had this man not had the foresight to take a cellphone with him it may have been many more hours before he was reported missing. Luckily he was able to raise the alarm quickly. That, combined with the training of the crew, ensured that he was located within a very short period of time, thus preventing what could have been yet another tragedy in the East End bush.”

Police are reminding people who venture into the bush to let friends and family know where they are going and when they anticipate coming back. They should always take a cellphone and water with them in case they get into difficulty.

Addendum: The RCIPS helicopter is under threat from budget cuts. How do you evaluate human lives?