On Saturday, May 9th. Coquitlam Search and Rescue received a call from the BC Ambulance Service requesting we attend to a male hiker who had suffered a cardiac arrest while hiking with his family on the Diez Vista trail above Buntzen Lake.

The hiker had collapsed while hiking a steep section at the Southern end of the trail. As it was a busy Saturday, there were plenty of other hikers on the popular trail. Bystanders began CPR and continued until rescuers were able to access the scene over an hour later.

Coquitlam SAR medical first responders, along with members of Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department hiked to the scene. They utilized an automatic external defibrillator(AED) and attempted to revive the hiker.

Meanwhile, plans were being developed to move the subject off the hillside. Our Argo ATV was able to gain access part way up the trail by accessing a power line right-of-way. However, a difficult and time-consuming stretcher carry would be needed to bring the hiker down the remaining section of the trail.

Two helicopters from Talon Helicopters arrived with additional Coquitlam SAR team members and members of the North Shore Rescue helicopter flight rescue system team (HFRS). After an aerial reconnaissance, it was determined that a single rescuer could be inserted using a long-line system. The helicopter was rigged and an NSR member was flown in to the scene.

Unfortunately, at that time it was determined that the hiker was deceased and that resuscitation efforts should be ceased. The RCMP and BC Coroner's office advised that the subject should be removed from the scene; he was slung out by helicopter while a Coquitlam SAR member escorted the hiker's family off the trail.

Coquitlam SAR would like to extend special thanks to the bystanders who first performed CPR on the subject. Despite the ultimate outcome, your efforts provided him with his best chance for survival. Thank you for helping in what must have been a difficult task.

Our partners in North Shore Rescue and Ridge Meadows SAR, along with Sasamat Fire Department, BC Ambulance Service, Talon Helicopters, RCMP, BC Coroners Service and the Buntzen Lake Park Wardens also need to be recognized for their assistance.