Elk Valley Regional RCMP this afternoon provided further details around the rescue of an elderly Montana man yesterday evening.

On July 11 at 2:51 p.m., Elk Valley RCMP received a call from BC Wildfire Service reporting that one of their crew had been advised there was an elderly man wearing jeans walking on the Wigwam Forest Service Road near Grasmere, who seemed disoriented and may be lost.

Further information from BC Wildfire when contacted indicated there were two unknown cyclists in the area who found the gentleman walking with a bucket and he had reportedly stated he was in the United States, reported Elk Valley RCMP Detachment commander S/Sgt. Svend Nielsen.

“They had apparently given him food and water and then left him to locate further help. There were no reports of a missing elderly man in the Elk Valley at that time.”

Elk Valley RCMP reached out to police agencies in Eureka, Montana, who indicated there was an 87-year-old Whitefish man missing from their area since Sunday. The man had been out berry and mushroom picking.

Fernie Search and Rescue was activated by the RCMP.

A short patrol by helicopter located the elderly man walking along another FSR with his bucket and waving at the helicopter.

“The male reportedly was extremely thankful for being rescued, as he feared he was being tracked by a grizzly bear (this was not confirmed),” S/Sgt. Nielsen said.

Fernie SAR did a medical review and provided him with oxygen to stabilize him. The man was taken to the Roosville Border Crossing by helicopter where he was met by an American ambulance, US Border Patrol along with the local Sheriff department and then taken to his local hospital.

“Elk Valley RCMP, once again, wish to thank the Fernie SAR volunteers for their quick and well-planned response which led to a successful rescue of the Montana gentleman,” S/Sgt. Nielsen said.

Fernie Search and Rescue photo

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