A 20-year-old hiker who went missing almost six weeks ago in British Columbia’s remote Redfern-Keily Provincial Park was found alive last week. After spending 50 days lost in the wilderness, Sam Benastick flagged down a pair of workers on a trail. He was found supporting himself with walking sticks and using a cut-up sleeping bag for warmth and was transported to a hospital, where his identity was confirmed.
Benastick was reported missing on October 19th, two days after his expected return from a 10-day camping trip. The sheer size of the massive 200-thousand-acre park, known for its rugged backcountry terrain, deep snow, and extreme winter conditions, made the search particularly difficult for volunteers. The camper says during the first few days of the nearly six-week ordeal, he stayed in his car, then camped near a creek for 10 to 15 days before moving to a shelter he built in a dried creek bed. He eventually walked to the location where he was rescued.
Benastick suffered frostbite and smoke inhalation but is expected to make a full recovery. A spokesperson from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police expressed relief in the missing man being located, saying, “Finding Sam alive is the absolute best outcome,” as many had feared the worst after such a long time.
Source: TODAY
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