A search and rescue volunteer with Nelson Search and Rescue drowned in the Goat River near Creston, British Columbia yesterday while helping undertake a search of a submerged vehicle.
The young woman fell overboard from a watercraft and did not surface. Efforts to locate and rescue her were unsuccessful (click here for the article in The Vancouver Sun).
Search and rescue is inherently dangerous. Approximately 6 volunteer (unpaid professional) search and rescuers have tragically died in training or missions in BC in the last 20 years;
this averages to 0.3 fatalities per year. No data is readily available for comparable statistics to BC firefighters but according to the US Fire Administration and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1091 American firefighters died while on-duty between 2000-2009. This averages to 109 deaths per year.
They are true heroes that deserve our gratitude. Their professionalism, technical expertise and tolerance for risk are unparalleled. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends and to the Nelson Search and Rescue Group.
The young woman fell overboard from a watercraft and did not surface. Efforts to locate and rescue her were unsuccessful (click here for the article in The Vancouver Sun).
Search and rescue is inherently dangerous. Approximately 6 volunteer (unpaid professional) search and rescuers have tragically died in training or missions in BC in the last 20 years;
this averages to 0.3 fatalities per year. No data is readily available for comparable statistics to BC firefighters but according to the US Fire Administration and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1091 American firefighters died while on-duty between 2000-2009. This averages to 109 deaths per year.
They are true heroes that deserve our gratitude. Their professionalism, technical expertise and tolerance for risk are unparalleled. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends and to the Nelson Search and Rescue Group.
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