A rescue call in Northern Saskatchewan Sunday ended with good news thanks to the quick thinking of a local trapper, and the fast response from the Canadian Rangers. (Facebook/Tammy Cook-Searson)

By Nigel Maxwell

Rescue mission

Stranded snowmobiler rescued by rangers

Jan 20, 2020 | 12:11 PM

A trapper in northern Saskatchewan is being credited for his help in saving a man’s life.

The 56-year-old man, who ventured out early Sunday afternoon on his snowmobile to cut some wood, got stuck in slush at Bigstone Lake. With the help of a local trapper, the Canadian Rangers were able to find the man within an hour of the initial call for help. Patrol Commander Jim Searson said Alec Halkett happened to be out on the lake at the right time.

“He saw the fire in the distance and he just thought he’d drive over across the lake and just investigate and see what was up,” he said.

According to Searson, Halkett was able to get within 150 yards of the stranded snowmobiler, then recognizing the danger, turned back to La Ronge to get help. He guided the Rangers team to the snowmobiler.

“He completely soaked his boots and he had wet mitts and just exhaustion of going through the deep snow and trying to get his machine out,” Searson said, adding the man also had some health-related issues.

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The snowmobiler was taken to the health clinic in La Ronge to be assessed and was later released.

“It was really nice to have Alec; he was the hero in my mind that really stepped up,” Searson said, reflecting on the whole incident. “That’s what we do as northerners. We help each other.”

Searson said the incident serves as a good reminder to communicate with others before heading out into the backcountry and to pack all the necessary equipment from food and first aid to flares and a cellphone.

“When you get stuck, take a screenshot of your location. It’s so much easier to find them rather than saying ‘I’m on the lake by the island,'” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell