A 15-year-old boy and his mother were able to use a deactivated cellphone to call for help after getting lost in Goldstream Provincial Park on Saturday.
Just after 6 p.m., West Shore RCMP got a call from a 15-year-old boy who said he and his mother were lost in the park after they ventured off the trails.
The hikers told the 911 operator that they had no supplies, food or water. Police said they were also wearing flip flops and did not have hiking experience. The cellphone they were carrying had no service plan and could not make phone calls.
However, deactivated cellphones can still be used to call 911. The operator told the hikers to stay where they were and call 911 every 30 minute for an update until a Search and Rescue team found them. The two were found by the team within a couple of hours.
GPS coordinates were obtained for the cellphone and the Search and Rescue team were able to successfully locate the pair and escort them back to the campground without sustaining any serious injuries, states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for West Shore RCMP. This is a great reminder to ensure you are prepared for outdoor hikes and to stick to the beaten path.
Alexa Huffman
