I need to set a rumour straight. All of our friends and family know that we have a rule amongst us that if you are going out sledding, to let each other know where you are going. If we don't hear from each other by an hour after dark, we will come looking for you.
On Sunday we did not hear from a group and it was starting to get late. We loaded our sleds and rescue equipment and headed to where they were sledding. On our way we received a text telling us that a young lady had been injured that they had notified SARS. We know the area and decided to continue on to help. We arrived at 10:30 p.m. and found the group as organized as they could be. A fire was burning, they had wrapped the young lady in their gear to keep her warm. Two are Level 3 first aid attendants and we had brought all our gear and blankets. We assessed the lady and found some serious injuries. This group had done a great job taking care of her as this injury could have ruined her life. At 3:30 a.m. SARS arrived with hypothermia gear as she was lying on the snow and we couldn't move her due to her injuries. At 7:30 a.m. B.C. Ambulance attendants arrived by helicopter and transported her to UHNBC. I would like everyone to realize this young lady and her friends had been outdoor for 14 hours and had stuck together. I did not hear one complaint from them and they had all willingly given up their snowmobile gear to take care of her.
Now to set the rumours to rest... This group was not drinking alcohol; they were not riding in a closed area. These rumours make all sledders look bad. We were with this young lady for nine hours on, hard snow with temperatures dropping while you were in your nice warm beds being judgemental. The group had no training, but were smart enough not to move her and she will walk again due to their good decisions. I am saddened by the rumours that have started. I am proud of how well these young people did and how caring and compassionate they were. No one went home to their nice warm bed. They stayed and helped in any way they could.
These young people need to be recognized for their good decisions not persecuted on false rumours.
Robbin Worthington
