When Brandon Campbell saw a photo his snowmobiling friend of what he thought was an old crash site, he knew it was something else – and being a pilot, he knew he had to help.
“There was no thinking about it,” said Campbell, who 20 minutes later was in the air, flying with his friend to the crash site.
“I have information and the answer of what to do was so obvious. I didn’t even think about it.”
The next day, search and rescue crews found the plane and rescued the survivors.
Today, Campbell met the men who survived on the glacier for over 24 hours: Peter Jedynakiewicz, Alan Widelski and Vern Hannah, the 81-year-old pilot.
WATCH: As John Hua reports, all three people onboard escaped serious injury
“You talked to your friend to your friend at that time accidental, and we would have still be sitting there if you hadn’t followed that route,” marveled Hannah at the string of events that led to their rescue.
“The timing was just incredible, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened…we must have had some divine help there.”
Campbell said he was just doing his duty.
READ MORE: ‘We took a wrong turn’ says survivor of plane’s emergency landing near Whistler
“It was so unique of a situation of what could have been, and what usually is the case in these particular events,” he said.
“We all fly in the backcountry. It’s our area to fly…we’re all a part of this general aviation community, and it’s very important we stick together when times are down.”
But for the three men rescued, Campbell’s act of kindness meant the world.
“It’s unselfish and loving, and that’s absolutely a good quality on Brandon’s part. He has the heart on the right side.”
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