(UPDATE: Nov. 27 at 6:49 pm): Health officials say a hiker reported missing in the wilds of northern British Columbia more than five weeks ago is on the path to recovery after being found alive amid frigid conditions.
Northern Rockies RCMP said that Sam Benastick was spotted on Tuesday when he flagged down two workers on a trail to Redfern Lake, which is about 250 kilometres southwest of Fort Nelson.
The workers recognized 20-year-old Benastick and took him to hospital, where police confirmed he was the missing hiker.
He had spent 50 days – more than seven weeks – in the freezing wilderness.
Police said Benastick started what was supposed to have been a 10-day camping and fishing trip in the area of Redfern-Keily Provincial Park on Oct. 7. His family reported him missing on Oct. 19 after he failed to return.
Northern Health said it had been authorized by Benastick's family to release a statement on Wednesday that said he was "doing well and recovering at Fort Nelson General Hospital."
It said he was "not doing any interviews or consenting to photos at this time."
Environment Canada data show temperatures in the region have recently dipped to about -30 C with snow falling.
A massive search for Benastick had involved police, search-and-rescue teams from Kamloops, the North Peace and Central Okanagan regions, as well as Canadian Rangers and volunteers.
Police said Benastick told officers that he had been in at least three locations.
"Sam told police that he stayed in his car for a couple of days and then walked to a creek, mountain side, where he camped out for 10-15 days," said the RCMP statement.
"Then (he) moved down the valley and built a camp and shelter in a dried-out creek bed. He then made his way to where he flagged down the two men and was taken to safety."
Mike Reid, general manager of the Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, B.C., where Benastick's family stayed during the search efforts, said he spoke on Tuesday afternoon to the hiker's father, who told him Benastick had been found.
Reid said Benastick's family stayed at the Inn for about 24 days during the search.
"It's just amazing. I've got three kids and five grandkids, and I could just imagine what they were going through. But right now they're gonna have the best Christmas," he said.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post that Benastick's survival story was "incredible."
The B.C. Search and Rescue Association said it was "relieved" to confirm Benastick's safe return after more than seven weeks in the wilderness.
"Our entire search and rescue community extends our warmest wishes to Mr. Benastick and his family during this time," association president Chris Mushumanski said in a written statement.
Mushumanski said the search mission involved helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones and 120 trained volunteers.
He said the crews travelled hundreds of square kilometres of challenging terrain during 3,500 search hours.
Mushumanski said there were "numerous challenges," but said he could not provide further details while police investigated the case.
He said the incident underscored the importance of outdoor preparedness in B.C. and to keep in mind the "three Ts" before venturing out into the wilderness, referring to trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.
RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said in the RCMP statement that finding Benastick alive was "the absolute best outcome."
"After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this would not be the outcome," she said.
– With files from Canadian Press
(UPDATE: Nov. 27 at 10:49 am): The RCMP has released more information about the discovery of missing hiker Sam Benastick, admitting they "feared that this was would not be the outcome."
Police said they were told Benastick had been found at about 11:30 am on Tuesday. He had been reported missing on Oct. 19, and last seen on Oct. 7.
According to the bulletin issued by Northern Rockies RCMP, two workers were heading to the Redfern Trail when they spotted a man walking towards them. They recognized the man as Benastick and took him to hospital.
"Sam told police that he stayed in his car for a couple of days and then walked to a creek mountainside where he camped out for 10-15 days," the bulletin adds. "Then moved down the valley, and built a camp and shelter in a dried-out creek bed. He then made his way to where he flagged down the two men and was taken to safety."
Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, who writes news releases for the RCMP, said finding Benastick was "the absolute best outcome."
"After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this was would not be the outcome," she said.
Police said the "time, effort and resources" by police and rescue volunteers "was beyond measure," adding: "We are thankful for the great outcome."
(Original story: Nov. 27 at 6:15 am): A hiker has been found after going missing in the BC wilderness for more than seven weeks, according to a search and rescue team.
Sam Benastick, described as an “avid” outdoorsman, had last been seen on Oct. 7 in the Redfern Lake area of Northern BC.
He was supposed to return from his hike on Oct. 17.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue said his discovery was an “unbelievable miracle.”
The group, which helped search for Benastick, wrote: “Lost five weeks in the woods with SAR teams from around BC--including ones from Vernon, Kelowna and Salmon Arm and Kamloops--involved in the search.”
Benastick was found by workers in the area on Tuesday, according to the CBC, meaning he was in the bush for 50 days.
In the most recent police update, issued in late October, Mounties said Benastick was last seen riding a dirt bike.
Some of the rescuers joining in the search later said they had “paused” their efforts.
Dozens of volunteers from more than a dozen search teams were involved in the bid to find Benastick.
According to a hotel manager in the area interviewed by the CBC, which was first to report the news, Benastick is now in Fort Nelson General Hospital awaiting the arrival of his parents.
NowMedia will update this story when more information is released.
