Hiker rescued after six-metre fall in West Vancouver canyon
A man in his 60s was saved by coordinated emergency response after slipping near Cypress Creek Canyon's edge. Rescuers say whistles and nearby canyoneers made the difference.
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A solo hiker in his 60s was rescued from Cypress Creek Canyon in West Vancouver on Saturday after a six-metre fall left him unconscious near the riverbank.
Around 1 p.m., District of West Vancouver Fire & Rescue were alerted to the hiker in distress. The man had gotten too close to the canyon's edge and slipped, tumbling approximately the height of a two-storey building. The fall knocked him unconscious for some time, according to Fire Chief Gord Howard.
When the hiker regained consciousness, he dialed 911, but calls kept dropping due to poor cell reception. Luck intervened when he heard whistles nearby — a pair of canyoneers found him and stopped to assist. Using whistles to communicate, a standard practice in the canyon environment, the hiker shouted for help.
West Vancouver police were initially alerted to the dropped 911 calls. North Shore Rescue responded to the scene and quickly located the hiker. When West Van firefighters arrived, they performed a technical rope rescue, hoisting a crew down to bring the hiker back to safe ground. Paramedics transported the man to hospital in stable condition.
Chief Howard said the presence of the canyoneers was critical. "Had those people not been there, we could have had a different outcome," he said.
Howard reminded hikers to stay on marked trails, tell someone where they're going and when they expect to return, and carry the 10 essentials even for short hikes. "The North Shore is a beautiful place to explore, but there are hazards there that people need to be aware of, even if that's a trail you've done a hundred times," he said.
At a glance
Where did the hiker fall?
The hiker fell at Cypress Creek Canyon in West Vancouver after slipping near the canyon's edge.
How far did he fall?
The hiker fell approximately six metres, roughly the height of a two-storey building.
What helped rescuers find him?
A pair of canyoneers nearby heard the hiker's calls for help and stayed to assist, using whistles to communicate with emergency responders until North Shore Rescue located him.
How was he brought to safety?
West Vancouver firefighters performed a technical rope rescue, hoisting a crew down into the canyon to bring the hiker back to safe ground, after which paramedics transported him to hospital in stable condition.
