Image: Hope Search and Rescue

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Rescue mission

Hope SAR lends a hand to stranded subjects on the Fraser River Friday

Jun 6, 2025 | 10:55 PM

FRASER CANYON — Just days after an injured biker required assistance from a backcountry trail southeast of Hope, the dedicated volunteers from Hope SAR were at it again rendering assistance in critical moments Friday.

Hope Search and Rescue volunteers were tasked to assist two stranded subjects on the Fraser River north of Yale, at least a 15-minute drive from Hope.

HSAR says the two individuals had been camping on the beach north of Yale, but the river levels dropped overnight, leaving their boat fully out of the water.

Rescue personnel were able to assist them getting their boat back into the water so they could return home.

Earlier in the week, with the help of Valley Helicopters, HSAR carried out a rescue mission on Monday, June 2, involving an injured biker on the Skagit River Trail southeast of Hope. Hope SAR was tasked with rescuing a biker who had suffered injuries on the trail, located just south of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) between Hope and Manning Park. SAR personnel say the male biker was able to send a message requesting assistance using a Garmin InReach.

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Hope SAR says having the injured biker’s exact location enabled volunteers to locate him quickly by helicopter, while the subject used a mirror to further assist in making himself more visible.

Additional members were en route to hike out to his location if extraction by helicopter was not possible. However, the helicopter was able to set down close to the subject and he was transported back to Hope for further care.

“Many thanks to Valley Helicopters for helping us make this a quick rescue!” Hope SAR said.

Following the incident, Hope SAR reminded people that due to limited cell phone coverage in the backcountry surrounding Hope, people should plan ahead when it comes to telecommunications in the event of an accident.