What started as a Saturday afternoon drive turned into a frightening experience for a Barriere, B.C. family.
A major search was launched for Angela Clarke, 35, and her three children after they were reported overdue from a bike trip. The four were eventually found safe and sound by search and rescue crews late Monday afternoon.
On Saturday, the 35-year-old Clarke, told family that she and her three kids, Nadia, Mckayah and Brody were going for a bike ride in the Barriere Lake area. The four started off driving to East Barriere Lake and then changed their minds and decided to go to South Barriere Lake.
It’s there, Clarke told Global News, that the snow got deeper and their SUV eventually became stuck. They spent two hours trying to dig the vehicle out but were unsuccessful. It was more than 50 kilometres back to Barriere and that’s when they decided to go in a different direction.
Clarke said they saw a sign for the Johnson Lake Fishing Resort that was 17 kilometres away, so they started riding their bikes, which they later ditched due to heavy snow.
They walked well into the night before finally spotting a private cabin, which they managed to get inside of, start a fire and find some food.
They were beat up with scrapes, bruises and blisters on their feet and Brody had fallen into the water while walking, Clarke said. The family made a decision to stay and wait for search crews to arrive. Clarke said they thought they’d be able to get out on Sunday, but still couldn’t due to the snow.
Clarke’s husband, Ryan, reported them missing when they didn’t return home. He also posted information about his missing family members on Facebook.
WATCH: Family found after missing for two days
RCMP found the family’s black SUV, which was empty, on South Barriere Lake Road on Monday.
Barriere Search and Rescue found them safe and sound late Monday afternoon and Clarke said she feels guilty and embarrassed over the incident but is incredibly thankful to all the men and women who donated their time this weekend to finding them.
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