SAR Tech Dies While Rescuing Two Fishermen

A recent search and rescue mission had a sad end to it. The people being rescued survived but not one of the 3 search and rescue (SAR) technicians who jumped out of the C-130 Hercules military aircraft into the icy and stormy waters of the Hecla Strait.

It all begun on Thursday morning, the 27th of October. The Winnipeg search and rescue was already up north and required assistance from Trenton. So they sent out another Herc on a 5 hour flight to Iqaluit, Nunavut to help locate and rescue 2 men stranded on a small fishing boat near Igloolik. They were out of power and sinking due to stormy weather. One men was also in critical condition.

When the Herc located the boat 3 SAR techs were dropped into the frigid waters. By then, the boat has already sunk and the 2 men were in a raft. It was also getting dark and the Herc was getting low on fuel. In these conditions, to see if there is anyone in the raft the Herc must fly as low as 150 feet above water. This is clearly not an easy task, especially when the ramp in the back is open.

The five men then waited 5 hours for a Cormorant helicopter from CFB Gander in Newfoundland to pick them up. Unfortunately one died before the chopper arrived, but how he died has not been released. The two other rescue technicians and the two men rescued from the boat were taken to Igloolik.

Here is a link to an interview with the survivors of this incredible mission

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/inuit-hunter-weeps-recalling-tragic-rescue-from-icy-waters-132930668.html

And a couple of pictures from flying up north