A lost Nanaimo hiker who called 911, sparking an extensive search, ended up catching a ride out of the bush with a truck driver.
The man, described by Nanaimo RCMP as very experienced in the outdoors, was camping with friends when he set off on an early morning hike.
About 8 a.m., he called 911 on his cellphone, telling the operator he was lost on Doumont Road.
Cellphone coverage is spotty in the area, and the call was dropped, said Const. Gary O'Brien of Nanaimo RCMP.
Police called the man's family, who said he was camping with friends. Police then called his friends, who hadn't realized he was missing.
Rescue teams from Nanaimo and Parksville were called in, and a search began by 9 a.m.
Just after 1: 30 p.m., the man made his way to a logging road and caught a ride with a truck driver, who drove him to the search command centre.
