A helicopter was called in to airlift to hospital a skier found unconscious after a fall Saturday afternoon on Mount Cain, between Port Hardy and Campbell River.
Comox Valley Search and Rescue spokesperson Paul Berry said the group responded about 1:30 p.m. to assist the 35-year-old victim, who had been skiing outside the boundaries in the west bowl area of Mount Cain when he fell on a steep slope.
Berry said that while members were being transported to the scene by Campbell River-based 49 North Helicopters, the Mount Cain ski patrol “expertly prepared” landing zones for both that helicopter and an air-ambulance helicopter headed to the Mount Cain parking lot.
The air ambulance, with sa国际传媒 Emergency Health Services paramedics aboard, was from Ascent Helicopters out of Parksville.
The skier had been partially stabilized by the time search and rescue arrived — the ski patrol was assisted by a doctor who happened to be nearby.
Berry said the skier was hoisted into the rescue helicopter and flown to the waiting air ambulance. Two helicopters were brought in because the one being used as an air ambulance wasn’t suitable for the hoist rescue.
No information on the skier’s injuries or condition was available.
The injured person was hoisted to a helicopter because of the difficult terrain, including the 30-degree slope involved, Berry said.
He said it was much easier on the patient “given his injuries” than to use a toboggan or something similar to move him.
A Facebook post by Comox Valley Search and Rescue attributed the successful rescue to “incredible collaboration.”
“A huge thank you to everyone involved for your skill, speed, and teamwork that made this challenging rescue possible,” the post said.
