Fri, Jan 11, 2013
Seal Hunters Had To Pull The Pilot To Safety, All Three Survive
Two seal hunters who had become stranded on an ice floe in the Canadian Arctic were probably pretty happy to see the helicopter that had been dispatched to rescue them ... but when the aircraft broke through the ice and started to sink, they suddenly found themselves in the role of rescuers.
The incident began on the west shore of Hudson Bay Tuesday night, according to a report appearing in the Canadian press, when the seal hunters were noted missing by relatives. An initial search found their snowmobile, and revealed that their boat was missing. Local residents tried to reach the men using another boat, but the frigid, slushy water caused the engine to freeze.
The two were spotted by a Canadian military Hercules, which dropped supplies and a radio. A civilian helo was contacted to complete the rescue.
But when the Jet Ranger landed on the floe, it broke through the ice and started to sink. The hunters hoping for a lift off the ice wound up sloshing through the water to pull the pilot to safety. The temperature with the wind chill was estimated at somewhere near -50 degrees centigrade.
The Hercules crew then parachuted two rescue technicians onto the floe, and all five waited until a military helicopter from Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake could finally lift them off the floating ice.
The three civilians were treated for hypothermia, but were listed in good condition in a local hospital.
(Bell Jet Ranger pictured in file photo)
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]