Canada - Sam Benastick, 20, hiker missing for more than 5 weeks in NE British Columbia backcountry found alive, Nov 2024

[Snoopster]

What an amazing story with a great outcome!

This is from a news report dated Nov 26, 2024.

Benastick set out Oct. 7 on a 10-day camping trip in Redfern-Keily Park, which B.C. Parks describes as having alpine tundras and impressive Rocky Mountain peaks.

But there was no real information about his whereabouts until Tuesday when, according to Reid, Benastick was found by workers who were grading the area around well sites — when surveyors mark the roads around natural gas wells as part of regular operations.

He was leaning on two sticks and had cut-out pieces of his sleeping bag wrapped around his feet.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missing-hiker-hunter-northeast-bc-1.7394194
What a smart outdoor survivor.

Imagine what his parents went through. There was an extensive search for a couple of weeks involving helicopters and canines. To no avail. And then weeks later he walks up to a road crew.

@RickshawFan I know you're very knowledgeable about these kind of cases, so I thought I'd flag you on this one.

 

[tarabull]

i was searching for a thread on this INCREDIBLE story while you were putting it together

Thanks U!!!!

 

[Snoopster]

i was searching for a thread on this INCREDIBLE story while you were putting it together

Thanks U!!!!

I'm excited along with you @tarabull!! It's such a wonderful outcome!

While Sam headed out in fairly mild weather, over the next number of weeks the weather turned cold and snowy. I can't imagine what he went through. I hope we hear more about his amazing survival story.

 

[airportwoman]

Wow, he really was in the middle of nowhere. This place is approximately at the same latitude as Fort McMurray, which had the horrible forest fire a few years ago.

 

[Snoopster]

So have they found his dirt bike?

 

[tarabull]

So have they found his dirt bike?

and what about his car?!?!!?

snipped from the link in your OP...

...Police said Benastick had last been seen at the trailhead of the Redfern Lake trail, where he was riding a red Honda dirt bike.

...In a release Wednesday morning, RCMP said Benastick told police he had stayed in his car "for a couple of days and then walked to a creek, mountainside, where he camped out for 10-15 days."

 

[airportwoman]

Why are both eyes bandaged?

 

[tarabull]

Maybe from the smoke inhalation

Snipped from link in OP...
...He said his nephew, who he described as an avid outdoors person, was suffering from "frostbite and some smoke inhalation."

Wildfire Smoke Irritating Your Eyes? Here's What to Do

Smoke from summer wildfires can travel hundreds of miles, which can wreak havoc on our health and float in the atmosphere long after the smoke has cleared. Here are some tips to help you deal with the smoke.

healthcare.utah.edu

Snipped...
...Rest with a soft, cold washcloth on closed eyelids.

 

[acutename]

car and a dirt bike.... why couldn't he drive out?
Need more info on this escapade.

 

[tarabull]

Astonishment as missing Canadian hiker emerges after weeks in wilderness

Sam Benastick, 20, discovered shivering and unsteady by two oil workers after getting lost in British Columbia wild

www.theguardian.com

 

[airportwoman]

car and a dirt bike.... why couldn't he drive out?
Need more info on this escapade.

Ran out of gas, perhaps?

 

[Snoopster]

So was he lost? It's not clear to me. Clearly he survived some harsh conditions. That wouldn't be easy.

 

[LadyL]

I have questions.

 

[bestill]

This is a real Thanksgiving outcome even though it happened in Canada!! Amazing and I can't wait to read more about his last few weeks!

 

[tarabull]

Snipped...
...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.”

...Police said Benastick told officers that he had been in at least three locations.

...“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.

Hiker 'doing well and recovering' after 5 weeks missing in freezing B.C. wilderness

Health officials say a hiker reported missing in northern B.C. more than five weeks ago is on the path to recovery after being found alive.

vancouver.citynews.ca

 

[scandinavian girl]

Wow, this is just amazing. I hope Sam recover fully and writes a best seller I will definitely read it.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

This is quite a strange story. Very glad he is OK. Maybe we'll get some details later to answer if he was lost or sick or ... ?