Daring Solo Climb Proves Critical in Mount Prevost Hang-Glider Rescue
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded on the rugged cliffs of Mount Prevost on Vancouver Island this past Friday, where the timely intervention of a local rock climber proved instrumental in saving the life of an injured hang-glider pilot. Search and rescue officials are calling the climber's actions "phenomenal" after he reached the crash site when ground teams could not access the treacherous terrain.
Inaccessible Crash Site Challenges Rescue Teams
Multiple emergency calls reported a hang-glider crash on the mountain cliffs northwest of Duncan, with witnesses describing the aircraft clipping a tree before spiraling into the rock face. Cowichan Search and Rescue immediately dispatched a twenty-person team, but encountered significant obstacles from the outset.
The crash site was located in a narrow gully or "chimney" on the cliffside, making it inaccessible to conventional rescue approaches. Half the team reached the top of the bluff but discovered their ropes couldn't extend far enough—nearly 200 feet short of the victim. The other half located the injured man from below but faced a sheer vertical rock face they weren't equipped to scale.
"This rescue was really challenging right off the bat," explained Tina Phillips, Cowichan SAR's search manager. "The ropes team had to set their anchors so far back because there was nowhere to anchor from. They were able to lower down almost 200 feet of rope, and then they would run out. They couldn't go any further."
Climber's Solo Ascent Makes the Difference
As rescue teams assessed their limited options, a nearby rock climber took matters into his own hands. Performing a solo free climb ascent of the narrow fissure, he reached the unconscious hang-glider pilot who had suffered significant injuries from the impact.
The victim's helmet had cracked in several places from the force of the crash, resulting in facial injuries and a concussion. He also sustained a severe leg injury with concerning blood loss, and was beginning to show signs of shock and hypothermia as conditions deteriorated.
The climber immediately cut the hang-glider free from his harness and began administering first aid, working under the direction of SAR personnel positioned below. He stayed with the victim, applied a warming vest, and managed bleeding while rescue teams coordinated additional support.
Complex Extraction Required Multiple Resources
Recognizing the victim's consciousness was decreasing and bleeding continued, rescue leaders made the decision to activate North Shore Rescue for additional support. Clouds were beginning to roll in, complicating what was already destined to be an extremely long extraction process.
"He did everything that he could possibly do while he was up there," Phillips said of the climber. "We realized the victim's level of consciousness was decreasing, and he had a fair bit of bleeding. We decided at that time we'll get North Shore activated, because better sooner than later."
The successful rescue ultimately required coordination between multiple search and rescue teams working in challenging conditions. The injured hang-glider was eventually plucked from the mountainside and transported to medical care.
Calls for Recognition of Civilian Hero
Search and rescue officials are now calling for recognition of the climber whose quick thinking and specialized skills made the rescue possible. "I would love to see him recognized," said Phillips, emphasizing that without his intervention, the outcome might have been tragically different.
The incident highlights both the dangers of adventure sports in British Columbia's rugged terrain and the critical role that trained civilians can play in emergency situations. As search and rescue teams across the province face increasing call volumes, this successful operation demonstrates the value of community collaboration in life-saving efforts.
