Man’s best friend found a few best friends in Campbell River Search and Rescue and Campbell River’s E&B Helicopters on Tuesday.
Campbell River Search and Rescue (CRSAR) responded to a call to perform a rescue of an injured dog at Bedwell Lake in Strathcona Provincial park. Brody, a 12-year-old German shepherd had made the hike in with his owners but was unable to make the hike out due to an injured hind leg.
Expenses for rescuing animals are not covered by the provincial government so CRSAR had to evaluate the risk involved with a ground-based evacuation of a pet. Flying to the rescue was Ed Wilcox of E&B Helicopters who offered to fly CRSAR personnel for no cost. With special permission from BC Parks to land inside Strathcona Park, the helicopter offer was taken so the rescue could proceed while exposing the rescuers to the least amount of risk, said Tyler Abbot, a search and rescue manager with CRSAR.
CRSAR member Jamie Turko flew into the park with E&B Helicopters and successfully located the dog and owner in a camp at Bedwell Lake.
“He wouldn’t of been able to make it back out to their vehicle,” Turko said via Facebook. “We were able to land the helicopter about a eight-minute hike to him but the pack out was, of course, a little longer with him over my shoulders.”
Turko praised E&B Helicopters’ contribution.
“A big thank-you to E&B Helicopters for donating the pilot’s time and fuel to rescue Brody and I was happy to put all of my training to use for man’s best friend,” he said.
“No man’s best friend gets left behind.”