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UPDATE: Rescue crews called to Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes for zip line rescue

Situation resolved safely
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Rescue crews were called out to Camp Qwanoes in Crofton on Monday afternoon after reports that someone was stuck on a zip line.

Crofton fire department was the first to be paged out, then Duncan firehall was called for their rope rescue team.

The person was reported to be stuck 60 to 70 feet in the air with a safety harness on, but needed help to get down.

According to a Facebook post by Queen of Angels School, the situation was resolved safely and the parent of the student who was stuck was on site at the time.

Came Qwanoes director Julie Bayley told the Citizen via Facebook that it’s not uncommon for participants to become scared.

“A boy went up to our zip line platform and decided he was too scared to go off. This happens fairly often because the zip line and other challenge course elements are designed to provide a challenging experience while minimizing real risk,” Bayley explained.

The participant didn’t want to be lowered to the ground by Camp Qwanoes belayers but agreed to be helped by the fire department so they were called.

“After a long time, the boy actually went off the zip line and had a great time,” Bayley said. “Even if he had not gone, we still would’ve celebrated the fact that he made it to the top of the zip line, which is sometimes enough of a challenge for people.”

Bayley said nobody was in any danger and everyone involved is fine.

“We are very happy that there was a happy ending to this story,” she said. “We want to give a shoutout to our local emergency responders…we really appreciate all of you.”



Andrea Rondeau

About the Author: Andrea Rondeau

I returned to B.C. and found myself at the Cowichan Valley Citizen.
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