A trapper was rescued in extreme temperatures on the shores of Morice Lake after being thrown from his boat.
After receiving a 911 call from a satellite messenger GPS unit on December 2, 2013, the Houston RCMP, with the assistance of local residents, Houston Search and Rescue and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, located the device and its owner on the Morice Lake, approximately 85 km southwest of Houston.
The SPOT Unit had been activated at 3:45 p.m. yesterday which promoted a call to police.
After determining the terrain in the location provided by the GPS coordinates, police contacted Search and Rescue and local residents that had knowledge of the remote area and a boat which could be used to access the lake.
Facing overnight temperatures of -20 degrees, strong winds and complete darkness, the rescuers made their way to the Morice Lake where a rescue effort was launched.
After several hours on the water rescuers reached the GPS coordinates provided by SPOT and located the trapper on shore.
The trapper had activated the beacon after being thrown from his 16-foot boat by strong waves which forced him to swim to shore.
The trapper was wet but in good health and was transported back to Houston where he demonstrated his appreciation by sharing breakfast with his rescuers.
“This is a great example of an avid outdoorsman who ran into trouble in the wilderness but had the equipment and clothing to keep himself safe until help arrived,” says Sergeant Stephen Rose, the Detachment Commander for the Houston / Granisle Detachment. “Moreover, it demonstrates the tenacity of our Search and Rescue group and the willingness of local residents to help emergency services offer help to someone during their time of need. The willingness of local residents to risk their own lives to save another is outstanding.”