British Columbia

First responders rescue 2 injured climbers in Squamish, B.C.

First responders in Squamish, B.C., rescued two climbers who were struck by falling rock on the Stawamus Chief Thursday.

Climbers were struck by falling rock on the Stawamus Chief

First responders rescue two injured climbers

3 months ago
Duration 0:39
First responders in Squamish, B.C., have rescued two climbers who were struck by falling rock at the Chief. Squamish Search and Rescue manager B.J. Chute told CBC News during the operation that responders were using a "very technical helicopter long-line rescue."

First responders in Squamish, B.C., have rescued two injured individuals at a popular rock climbing spot north of Vancouver.

Falling rock struck two climbers at the Bullethead East climbing area of the Stawamus Chief early Thursday afternoon.

First responders say they received calls about the situation just before 1 p.m. PT.

In a news release Friday, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brett Urano said the climbers sustained significant injuries, and needed help getting off the rock wall. 

First responders said they were able to rescue climbers within about four hours.

Paramedics provided the climbers with emergency medical treatment and they were transported to hospital via air ambulance, Brian Twaites with the B.C. Emergency Health Services said in a statement to CBC News at around 5:15 p.m. PT. 

Squamish Search and Rescue manager B.J. Chute told CBC News earlier in the afternoon that first responders were able to make voice contact with the climbers and they also received assistance from local guides. 

Chute added that the operation involved a "very technical helicopter long-line rescue."  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Nguyen

Reporter

Alex Nguyen is a reporter with CBC News in Vancouver. She has reported in both Canada and the United States. You can email story ideas and tips to her at alex.nguyen@cbc.ca.

With files from Janella Hamilton