Health officials say a hiker reported missing in the wilds of northern British Columbia more than five weeks ago is on the path to recovery after being found alive amid frigid conditions.
Northern Rockies RCMP said that Sam Benastick was spotted on Tuesday when he flagged down two workers on a trail to Redfern Lake, which is about 250 kilometres southwest of Fort Nelson.
The workers recognized 20-year-old Benastick and took him to hospital, where police confirmed he was the missing hiker.
He had spent 50 days in the freezing wilderness.
Police said Benastick started what was supposed to have been a 10-day camping and fishing trip in the area of Redfern-Keily Provincial Park on Oct. 7. His family reported him missing on Oct. 19 after he failed to return.
Northern Health said it had been authorized by Benastick’s family to release a statement on Wednesday that said he was “doing well and recovering at Fort Nelson General Hospital.”
It said he was “not doing any interviews or consenting to photos at this time.”
Environment Canada data show temperatures in the region have recently dipped to about -30 C with snow falling.
A massive search for Benastick had involved police, search-and-rescue teams from Kamloops, the North Peace and Central Okanagan regions, as well as Canadian Rangers and volunteers.
Police said Benastick told officers that he had been in at least three locations.
“Sam told police that he stayed in his car for a couple of days and then walked to a creek, mountain side, where he camped out for 10-15 days,” said the RCMP statement.
“Then (he) moved down the valley and built a camp and shelter in a dried-out creek bed. He then made his way to where he flagged down the two men and was taken to safety.”
Mike Reid, general manager of the Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, B.C., where Benastick’s family stayed during the search efforts, said he spoke on Tuesday afternoon to the hiker’s father, who told him Benastick had been found.
Reid said Benastick’s family stayed at the Inn for about 24 days during the search.
“It’s just amazing. I’ve got three kids and five grandkids, and I could just imagine what they were going through. But right now they’re gonna have the best Christmas,” he said.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post that Benastick’s survival story was “incredible.”
The B.C. Search and Rescue Association said it was “relieved” to confirm Benastick’s safe return after more than seven weeks in the wilderness.
“Our entire search and rescue community extends our warmest wishes to Mr. Benastick and his family during this time,” association president Chris Mushumanski said in a written statement.
Mushumanski said the search mission involved helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones and 120 trained volunteers.
He said the crews travelled hundreds of square kilometres of challenging terrain during 3,500 search hours.
Mushumanski said there were “numerous challenges,” but said he could not provide further details while police investigated the case.
He said the incident underscored the importance of outdoor preparedness in B.C. and to keep in mind the “three Ts” before venturing out into the wilderness, referring to trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.
RCMP Corp. Madonna Saunderson said in the RCMP statement that finding Benastick alive was “the absolute best outcome.”
“After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this would not be the outcome,” she said.