Fatal fall, unprepared hikers, challenge North Shore teams in separate rescues

May 9, 2016 | 9:54 AM

VANCOUVER — The BC Coroners Service is investigating the death of a hiker on Vancouver’s North Shore.

Cpl. Richard De Jong confirms the unnamed man did not survive after falling into Norvan Falls and hitting his head during a hike on Sunday.

In a post on its website, North Shore Rescue says its members used high tech equipment to keep the victim’s heart beating while a long line was used to airlift him by stretcher out of the rugged Lynn Valley area.

 

 

Despite their efforts, and those of the victim’s companions, who ran several kilometres down the trail to find cellphone coverage to call for help, the man could not be saved.

The rescue was one of two carried out Sunday in North Vancouver as two unprepared hikers had to be airlifted from winter conditions on Crown Mountain, northwest of Grouse Mountain.

According to North Shore Rescue, the two 20-year-olds were wearing runners and light clothing, and carried no appropriate supplies, when they became lost on the difficult, snowbound trail in fading light and falling temperatures.

The Canadian Press