Chilliwack Search and Rescue (CSAR) says a rescue last night on Mount Rexford was nothing short of a miracle.
CSAR Manager Doug Fraser says a call came in around 7:40 p.m. A 40-year-old man and his 15-year-old nephew were climbing in the afternoon, when the uncle suddenly fell 70 feet and landed on a two foot ledge. That ledge was the only thing that prevented him from falling 1,500 feet.
Two nearby climbers saw the fall and told the nephew they would call for help.
But in order to do that, they had to climb down themselves and drive several hours until they had cell service.
READ MORE: Hiker tells Chilliwack Search & Rescue “thank you for saving my life”
Chilliwack SAR’s helicopter arrived to the scene around 8:15 p.m.
Four members were dropped off on a ridge line a few hundred meters above the injured climber.
But moments later, the rescue team saw lightning coming their way, which prevented them from completing the rescue.
A 422 Cormorant had to be called out of Comox to perform the rescue.
Hours later, the team managed to airlift the uncle and the teen.
The uncle was taken to Chilliwack hospital with a broken ankle, cuts and bruises.
Fraser said the rescue took a total of nine hours.
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