Search And Rescue Pull Services

[InspectorGadget]

I am not totally sure on all the details but as (fairly new) SAR member and a heli engineer this is pretty interesting. As a group, SAR make little to no decisions regarding the launching of a search. The police launch us and call us off. No exceptions. If someone somehow finds a phone number and calls our SAR office, we can't do anything but forward them to the police. Then they must decide if SAR needs to be involved and call the RCC in Victoria to request us. So in this instance, if this french guy made these SOS signs and someone saw them and reported them, then the local RCMP would have to make the call. Not the SAR group.

 

What I am trying to get at is how can he sue the SAR group? Did they drop the ball somewhere?

[3BX2]

Inspector Gadget, you're Right on, PEP tasks are initiated by the RCMP.

 

If SAR or the Resort felt that there may not be anyone missing, then the RCMP must override them and make the final call. Last time I checked, they have a fleet of new helicopters, paid for by the taxpayer, and waiting to serve and protect the public. Why they never made that decision to go ahead with any type of search is the (multi) Million dollar question ?

 

Someone else answered your question re the SAR group named on the Suit. Lawyers name EVERYONE.

I'm truly amazed that the Heli-Ski company and the (205) Helicopter company were not named also ? go figure?

 

 

[Guest plumber]

If i recall correctly , isnt it correct that someone contacted the resort after seeing the SOS and they said they had no one missing . Surely a large part of liability must rest with the resort for not checking . If room service notice a room had not been used for a few days wouldnt that raise some warning flags .

 

Mr. Blackburn may have a leg to stand on if that was the case. Checked out that day, told nobody of their intentions ( not even family) What an egomaniac this man must be to think he and his wife are not 100% to blame in this event.

 

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but what needs to happen is people who venture out of bounds announced or not should be hit with the bill period. Starting with RCMP overtime and each member of the SAR crew charged at an over inflated rate ( not to mention the heli charge).

 

It won't stop morons from risking everyone elses lifes but it may reduce it. As for sympathy for Mr. Blackburn well I think you know where to look in the dictionary in this case.

 

 

 

[212wrench]

Why? Why is it the resorts responcibility to track their guests? What if they had gone to Lake Louise for a couple of days? Should they tell the front desk? How about they get a clue about where they are? Your in the back country in the Canadian Rockies for Cripps sake, not in downtown Montreal. They should give him what he wants under one condition, he has to wear for the rest of his life a t-shirt that states "I am an idiot and because of that my wife is dead!!"

[3BX2]

CBC Article

 

Many interesting Reader comments posted about this article

[Over-Talk]

This is all so very sad, for many reasons.

 

It's sad to think a couple can come to BC for some recreation and yet get in so much trouble within just a few minutes of leaving a built-up area....but we see it so often. Even within a few miles of a major metropolis like Vancouver, people are regularly getting into difficulties.

It's a sad irony that the wilderness and beauty that is so attractive and close to the communities of BC can also be so deadly.

 

It must have been horribly sad and terrifying for this couple to have been out in the wilderness for over a week, slowly dying, and not to have the energy (or sense) to get back out to safety, but still hearing helicopters in the area.

 

It is sad to think that people can head-out into such wilderness, and even if they do realize what jeopardy they are putting themself (and their spouse) into, they EXPECT volunteer Search and Rescue teams to come out looking for them.

And of course, they expect the taxpayers of our nation to pick-up the costs.

 

It is so sad after all the horror and loss that this man has been through, that he feels we have the sort of society in Canada that would allow him to sue someone else for a tragedy that, in most parts of the world, would be laid upon him alone to deal with for the rest of his life.

Accidents, and even stupidity happens. That's what insurance is for. Not the legal system.

 

Finally it is very sad that an abuse of our legal system like this can cause a fine group of people such as Golden SAR volunteers to hold-back their services from the innocent and deserving members of our society that have run into misfortune in the wilderness through no fault of their own.

 

This man should admit he made some errors for which his wife paid the ultimate price, and go home to grieve and seek solace with himself.....not from others.

If I was the Judge in this law suit, I would award this man my sympathies, and nothing more.

[Guest plumber]

This is all so very sad, for many reasons.

 

It's sad to think a couple can come to BC for some recreation and yet get in so much trouble within just a few minutes of leaving a built-up area....but we see it so often. Even within a few miles of a major metropolis like Vancouver, people are regularly getting into difficulties.

It's a sad irony that the wilderness and beauty that is so attractive and close to the communities of BC can also be so deadly.

 

It must have been horribly sad and terrifying for this couple to have been out in the wilderness for over a week, slowly dying, and not to have the energy (or sense) to get back out to safety, but still hearing helicopters in the area.

 

It is sad to think that people can head-out into such wilderness, and even if they do realize what jeopardy they are putting themself (and their spouse) into, they EXPECT volunteer Search and Rescue teams to come out looking for them.

And of course, they expect the taxpayers of our nation to pick-up the costs.

 

It is so sad after all the horror and loss that this man has been through, that he feels we have the sort of society in Canada that would allow him to sue someone else for a tragedy that, in most parts of the world, would be laid upon him alone to deal with for the rest of his life.

Accidents, and even stupidity happens. That's what insurance is for. Not the legal system.

 

Finally it is very sad that an abuse of our legal system like this can cause a fine group of people such as Golden SAR volunteers to hold-back their services from the innocent and deserving members of our society that have run into misfortune in the wilderness through no fault of their own.

 

This man should admit he made some errors for which his wife paid the ultimate price, and go home to grieve and seek solace with himself.....not from others.

If I was the Judge in this law suit, I would award this man my sympathies, and nothing more.

 

Every one makes mistakes (don't I know this) My very Northern Irish pops would make the back of my head sting every time I made one.

 

The horror and loss was his own doing not the RCMP or SAR.

 

I'm pretty sure you won't here him in court pressing the events leading up to the finger pointing!

 

Its must be such a slap in the face to the men and women who dedicate their spare time to help others to be faced with losing everything because some clown from the city who watches survivor man who thinks he can waltz into the back country and when things go side ways the cavalry will pull him out (cause thats what they are there for)

 

You my friend would be a better judge than I would in Mr. Blackburns eyes.

 

He'd be getting a scolding and a huge legal bill and I know this is not going to happen in this country but jail time for criminal negligance in taking part in his wifes death.

 

When you raise your hand to point fingers there are 3 on your own hand pointing back!

 

 

 

 

 

[Hello-bird]

Tell that to my 39 year old sister who has MS.

 

xo.

[widgeon]

Thanks for the correction. It would now seem he has no one to blame.

[Mark_]

Did the RCMP not apologize afterwards? I seem to recall that they did. If so, it's a bigger shame that the SAR teams are taking the brunt of the blame, when even the RCMP accepted responsibility.

 

Mark