Police in Nanaimo are reminding residents to be prepared when headed into the backcountry after numerous incidents recently involving search-and-rescue and emergency responders.
A Nanaimo RCMP press release detailed four incidents that have happened Sunday in and around Nanaimo.
On Sunday, July 19, Nanaimo Search and Rescue responded to an injured 10-year-old who had been mountain biking in the south Benson trail network. Nanaimo Search and Rescue members escorted the boy, who was able to walk out on his own. He subsequently received assistance from paramedics.
Monday afternoon saw an incident in which emergency services and search-and-rescue members responded to the Steelhead Trail and Nanaimo River after a report of a boy and girl in the water and in distress. The girl made it to shore, but the boy was swept out of sight by the rapids before making it out of the water downstream. An RCMP helicopter was called in to assist, but the incident didn’t result in any injuries, the press release said.
A pair of incidents Tuesday saw first responders and animal control services at Extension Ridge Trail to rescue a dog that had fallen into a crevice.
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Also on that day North Cedar and Cranberry fire departments and search-and-rescue personnel responded to an area of the Nanaimo River referred to as the Darkside where a man who had been swimming before going into distress was rescued from steep terrain in a high-angle rescue. He was taken to hospital.
RELATED: Rope rescue required after man falls into Nanaimo River
Police are reminding people to be prepared when venturing outdoors.
“Our backcountry is very active at this time,” said Nanaimo RCMP Const. Derek Balderston in the press release. “Please ensure when you venture out that you are well prepared and undertake activities appropriate to your skill level. It is critical that should something go wrong you are able to articulate where you are.”