Quebec hiker found alive after three months in the woods

MONTREAL – He hadn’t been seen since he left in July for a two-month canoe trip, but three months later, the missing hiker was found, barely alive, in northern Quebec.

Marco Lavoie was discovered by Quebec provincial police during a helicopter search on Wednesday morning, about 1,110 kilometres northwest of Montreal, halfway between Matagami and Waskaganish.

Authorities have confirmed that the dehydrated and emaciated 44-year-old is in critical condition in a hospital in the Abitibi area.

According Sergeant Claude Denis, a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec, the search began after the man was reported missing on Monday, October 21.

A friend was concerned that the hiker had not been seen since he embarked on a solo canoe trip along the Nottaway River on July 16.

After the first helicopter search was called off last week due to inclement weather, provincial police successfully located the man on Wednesday, October 30.

Unfortunately, because of the rugged terrain, the helicopter could not land where the man was discovered, so the rescue team had to travel two kilometres by foot to reach him.

The hiker was so weak, he had to be carried on the backs of rescuers as they returned to the helicopter.

Apparently, the trouble started after a bear visited the man’s campsite, ate all of his food and damaged his equipment.

Although he did not appear to have been attacked, authorities will have to wait until the man recovers to hear the full story of what took place.