A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter, known by its callsign Rescue 911, airlifted eight people to safety from northern Vancouver Island. (19 Wing Comox)
Eight people stranded by landslides on northern Vancouver Island are safe after a dramatic overnight rescue. A military helicopter lifted them to safety early Friday morning following a powerful rainstorm that caused flooding, downed power lines, and washed out local roads.
The rescue began late Thursday when the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness contacted the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria around 10:30 p.m. Officials requested an urgent helicopter evacuation for a group trapped near San Josef Bay, a remote area on the island’s northwestern coast.
The group had been stuck in a vehicle surrounded by debris and rising water. With the area cut off by landslides, police and ground search crews couldn’t reach them safely.
Air Force Crew Answers the Call
The Co-ordination Centre immediately reached out to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 19 Wing Comox. A team from the 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron prepared a Cormorant helicopter for takeoff.
Lt.-Col. Claude Rivard, the squadron’s commanding officer, said the rescue team often handles the most difficult missions. “We’re the last resort,” he explained. “Those are remote areas and leaving people there would be unsafe as you never know if there’s more mudslides coming.”
The crew faced rough weather on the 250-kilometre flight from Comox to the stranded group. Heavy rain, strong winds, and thick fog made visibility poor. Still, the pilots managed to locate the isolated vehicle and safely land on a narrow section of road.
Safe Landing and Medical Checks
The helicopter flew the rescued group to the Port Hardy airport, located east of San Josef Bay. Paramedics and police officers were waiting on the ground to assist them.
According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, the agency sent two ambulances to meet the helicopter around 2:30 a.m. Paramedic spokesperson Brian Twaites confirmed the group did not suffer serious injuries. “Two ambulances with primary care paramedics met the patients upon arrival,” he said. “No patients required hospital transport.”
The rescued individuals were in good condition but shaken by the experience. They were later provided with assistance and transportation to nearby accommodations.
Storm Leaves a Trail of Damage
The storm that caused the landslides also brought heavy rainfall and strong winds across southwestern British Columbia. Authorities issued multiple weather warnings, including flood watches, through the night.
The extreme weather forced ferry cancellations between Vancouver Island and the mainland, leaving many travellers stranded. Crews spent Friday morning clearing debris and checking for additional slides.
Officials continue to urge residents in affected areas to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel as cleanup operations continue.
Despite the dangerous conditions, rescue teams managed to bring everyone home safely — a mission that highlighted teamwork, skill, and quick action in the face of unpredictable nature.
