North Shore Rescue is asking the public to let them handle searches for missing people in the backcountry.
Two friends of Liang Jin, a Vancouver man missing since Near Year’s Eve, went into the Hanes Valley today to look for him today, but had to be rescued by North Shore Rescue themselves.
“Number one, the area is closed. Number two, that’s our job to do. Number three, they’re completely unprepared,” said Mike Danks, North Shore Rescue Team Leader.
North Shore Rescue learned the two went into the backcountry this morning while talking with Jin’s family about the case. When they found the two late this afternoon, their annoyance escalated.
“One was soaking wet and freezing cold waiting at the helipad, while the other went to search,” said Danks.
“They’ve separated from each other, one guy is hypothermic and we have to find the other guy,” said Danks. “It takes our members time to get this individual, we have to get a helicopter, it puts everyone at risk.”
North Shore Rescue called off the search for Jin after finding no leads over two days, but Vancouver Police are continuing to investigate. He told his father he was going hiking, and information taken from his computer indicates he may have been planning a hike in the Hanes Valley area.
As for Jin’s friends, they have mild hypothermia but otherwise are fine. Danks understands the two had their heart in the right place, but he says it’s a reminder to the public to let trained professionals take charge.
“These guys were genuine, but this is very dangerous. If we did not intercept these guys and fly them out, I guarantee you they would have been stuck in the darkness and we probably would have had two fatalities,” he said.
“It’s not worth it.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Crews searching for Liang Jin
Comments