One person has been rescued from the bush near McConnell Lake thanks to the Whitehorse RCMP, Special Operations Medical Extrication Team (SOMET), and Yukon Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
On November 15, 2021, at approximately 1:00 am, Whitehorse RCMP were called to a residence on Annie Lake Road, near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, for a report of an assault. One of the people involved fled into the bush before police arrived.
The temperature in the area at the time was around -11*C, and he not dressed for the conditions.
Police officers were able to track the man in the bush due to the fresh snow. Specially trained officers were also called out to operate the Detachment's UTV and ATV.
The man was located at about 6:40 am, in poor condition due to exposure to the elements and believed by police on scene to possibly be in a hypothermic state. Police were equipped with search and rescue supplies including flares, emergency blankets, and a fire starter, which allowed them to start a fire and provide some basic first aid to respond to the man's medical needs.
RCMP engaged EMS and SOMET, which provides medical care and removal to patients who are beyond the normal reach of an EMS team. A helicopter assisted in the extraction of the man when it was bright enough to operate safely. At 10:40 am, the helicopter was guided in by RCMP to the extraction location and transport the man to the waiting ambulance.
Anyone spending any time outdoors during winter in the Yukon must be prepared for the conditions. Seven steps to cold weather safety are available from Get Prepared Canada to help plan for time spent outside.
Police are still investigating the assault that led to this search. The names of people involved cannot be released at this time, and police will not provide updates on the man's medical condition. Please note that this investigation is separate from the missing person investigation that Whitehorse RCMP was also recently involved in.