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Brilliant RCMP response

Letters

Editor:

We cannot thank enough the RCMP team of Cpl. Gardiner, Const. McIntosh and Const. Hrynyk of the Sunshine Coast D Watch for searching for and rescuing our two grandsons and their two friends from the biking trails above Roberts Creek, after dark early this week.

The four, visiting 11-year-old boys, Simon, Cameron, Emmet and Lucas, eagerly departed from the top of the trails at a sunny 7 p.m. on what they expected to be a relatively simple ride down to Highway 101 before the sun went down. Among other mistakes, what they did not anticipate was that the trail seemed to end at the provincial park and, as the sun set and darkness fell, they became disoriented with no idea which way to go.

Fortunately they were able to find a minute of faulting reception on their cell phone and made a frantic call to their parents who told them to stay put while the parents called 911 for assistance. As extremely anxious parents and grandparents, unable to search the forest in the dark, we had visions of children possibly having to stay in the woods overnight, fending off bears and cougars.

The three constables acted with knowledge, calm and caring. It was, I believe, Const. Hrynyk who ran the entire length of the trail in the dark, until he located the thankful boys, well after 10 p.m.

We are immensely grateful for the brilliant response of this experienced and willing RCMP search team. As for the boys, gratitude, humility and survival lessons have been learned. We thank you.

Alex and Mary Baker and family, Roberts Creek