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Missing B.C. hiker, dog found safe after 3-day search

Cranbrook hiker had been missing since Sunday, August 12, near Jumbo Pass.
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Photo courtesy Kimberley RCMP

A Cranbrook woman who had been missing since Sunday was located Wednesday night.

An extensive search was initiated when Louise Baxter, 52, failed to return from a short walk in Jumbo Pass. She had been on a hike with friends and had ventured out with her dog for a break. When she failed to return police were contacted.

Search and rescue was activated and 72 hours later Louise was located in good health. She was flown back to the Command Post and checked out by BC Ambulance. Her dog Maverick was with her the whole time and is also in good health.

Wendy Heatherington, from Kimberley Search and Rescue, worked incident command for the search efforts. The Kimberley Bulletin spoke to her Thursday morning, while she and the team were still in Invermere wrapping things up.

Heatherington said all the search teams were exhausted but elated at the positive outcome.

B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 with the crew that found her, I was on incident command. We donB次元官网网址檛 know the whole story yet. All we know is that she got lost. When she was found, she was whisked off by BC Ambulance to get checked out.B次元官网网址

Heatherington says the scene when Baxter was found was very emotional.

B次元官网网址淥h my gosh, SAR members were crying, the subject and her husband were crying. ItB次元官网网址檚 just the absolute best case scenario.B次元官网网址

B次元官网网址淭he teams faced challenging and difficult terrain but persevered and focused on finding Louise. Their commitment is to be commended. It was a huge sigh of relief when word came in that Louise had been located,B次元官网网址 said Sgt. Chris Newel, Incident Commander.

Search teams from Columbia Valley, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Golden, Revelstoke, Sparwood, Kaslo and Nelson assisted with the search. At the height of the search there were three helicopters, four search dogs, a drone and over 35 trained SAR volunteers. Officers from Kimberley, Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RCMP detachments worked alongside the SAR team and provided support to the family through Victim Services.

B次元官网网址淚 would like to send out a huge thanks to all the teams, support personnel, pilots and those who provided assistance over the three days. Your dedication is truly appreciated,B次元官网网址 said Sgt Darren Kakuno, Columbia Valley Detachment Commander. B次元官网网址淎 special thanks to RK Heliskiing who provided their heliport, lodge and parking lot for the Command PostB次元官网网址.



Barry Coulter

About the Author: Barry Coulter

Barry Coulter had been Editor of the Cranbrook Townsman since 1998.
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