Two Hikers Hospitalized After Technical Rescue on Mount Brunswick
A weekend hiking excursion on Mount Brunswick near Lions Bay turned perilous when two members of a 14-person group fell on steep terrain, requiring an extensive technical rescue operation involving multiple agencies. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and resulted in both hikers being transported to hospitals with injuries, one in critical condition.
Chain of Events Leading to the Rescue
The emergency began when a female hiker slipped and fell a significant distance, sustaining injuries. In an attempt to assist her, a male hiker from the same group climbed down but also lost his footing and fell, landing in an even more precarious location just above a waterfall. This created a dual-rescue scenario on challenging, steep slopes that demanded specialized equipment and expertise.
Lions Bay Search and Rescue members were first on the scene, managing to rope down to the injured woman to provide immediate first aid. Meanwhile, North Shore Rescue was called in to handle the more complex extraction of the male hiker, who was positioned in dangerously steep terrain.
Complex Technical Rescue Operation
The rescue effort was described by North Shore Rescue as highly technical, involving critical injuries in very difficult conditions. Rescuers had to be hoisted down by helicopter to reach the male hiker, who was treated at the scene by an emergency room doctor before being airlifted out and transferred to paramedics in Lions Bay. The female hiker was subsequently hoisted out via helicopter as well.
Both hikers were then transported to hospitals for further medical care. As of late Saturday night, the male hiker remained in critical condition, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Collaborative Emergency Response
North Shore Rescue publicly acknowledged the coordinated efforts of multiple organizations that made the rescue possible. They specifically thanked Lions Bay Search and Rescue for organizing the operation and providing excellent on-scene care for the female hiker. Additional credit was given to Talon Helicopters for aerial support, B.C. Emergency Health Services for medical response, and staff at both Lions Gate Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital for their readiness to receive the injured hikers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with mountain hiking, particularly on challenging terrain like Mount Brunswick. It also demonstrates the vital role played by volunteer search and rescue teams who train extensively to respond to such emergencies in British Columbia's wilderness areas.
