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Outdoor lesson learned

A father and son from Campbell River got a lesson in winter survival

A father and son from Campbell River got a lesson in winter survival when one of them spent seven hours alone while the other tramped for hours in heavy snow.

Sayward RCMP reported the duo were on route Sunday to Eagles Cove — North of Browns Bay Resort, about 20-km North of Campbell River — on a “very rugged logging road” in a rental vehicle, which became stuck in the snow.

“They decided to split up and go in opposite directions to find help” said RCMP Cpl. Rod Pick. The 17-year-old son managed to walk several-km to Browns Bay, however the father did not make it out of the remote area.

At 9:45 p.m., Sunday, Sayward RCMP with the assistance of Campbell River RCMP and Campbell River Search and Rescue conducted a ground search of the area.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Monday, Search and Rescue located the father inside the vehicle.

He had apparently decided to return to the vehicle and wait for help.

While neither father or son suffered any serious injuries,  police and Search and Rescue would like to remind the public to always carry food and water and first aid supplies including warm blankets and a candle in their vehicles when traveling to these remote areas.

“The father and son had none of those items,” said Pick, who noted the best thing to do in a similar circumstance is tell someone where your destination is, what your expected time of arrival is and never split up.

The best thing to do in this situation is to stay in your vehicle and wait for help.