RCMP says a 78-year-old woman who was missing for four days near Innisfail, Alta., has been rescued by helicopter.
In a press release, RCMP said crews found Lorraine Vandenbosch Thursday morning after days of searching. RCMP said Vandenbosch went missing Monday from Dickson Point Campground near Gleniffer Lake.
Crews found Vandenbosch around 9:30 a.m. in a heavily wooded area near the Dickson Trout Pond on a steep bank.
Special Const. Al Miller, who piloted the rescue helicopter, said Vandenbosch was identified from the air as best he could.
“We do this a lot, and so every time we find someone, it’s definitely a happy feeling, that’s for sure,” Miller said.
“I can’t tell you what a great feeling it is to see the look on the faces of the family members when you return their missing. So that was a great result. Fantastic day.”
He said the rescue was a “toe-in,” meaning only one of the helicopter’s skids was in contact with the ground.
Miller said an assessment by crews and paramedics on the ground determined that Vandenbosch could not be run away. Carrying her outside was also precarious due to the steep slope of the area.
Tactical Flight Officer Cpl. Kaylin Makeechak, who helped coordinate between Miller and the ground crew, spotted Vandenbosch in a bush on the cliff. He said she was holding on to a branch on a slope.
“She is conscious and alert and clearly confused because she had been missing since Monday,” he said.
Vandenbosch is receiving precautionary medical care and is with her family, RCMP said.
RCMP said search and rescue teams from Red Deer County, Rocky Mountain House, Sundre and Wetaskiwin helped search, along with Red Deer County Patrol, Innisfail Fire Department, Red Deer County Fire Department, Spruceview Fire Department, Alberta conservation officials, Raven Crime Watch and mounted horse volunteers.
RCMP said Spruceview Bakery and Red Deer Costco supplied the teams with food, enabling them to work long hours.
Innisfail is located about 100 kilometers north of Calgary.
