On June 22nd, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., Thompson RCMP were notified by an international call centre of a distress alert from a GPS emergency beacon. The beacon’s location was approximately 50 km from Thompson, and 10km inland from highway 280, in the Orr Lake area.
An air search was conducted by helicopter, with medical support from Thompson Fire & Emergency Services. A 36 year old man, a native of Finland, was located at 5:45 p.m. at the provided GPS coordinates, and he was successfully extracted. He was medically treated en route to Thompson and was brought to Thompson General Hospital where he was treated and released.
The man had been brought inland by helicopter several days earlier to go solo hiking in the area and had lost most of his gear while negotiating a river.
Thompson RCMP Detachment encourages any persons going inland on any expeditions to ensure they have reported in to the RCMP with route plans, departure and return times, in order to avoid potentially life threatening situations.
Sgt. R.A. Collen
Thompson RCMP Detachment
204-677-6909
