Two women who failed to return from a hike on Quadra Island Wednesday have been found and are safe.
A team of 90 search-and-rescue volunteers from across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland spent Wednesday night and Thursday searching.
The women, ages 69 and 71, were reported missing Wednesday after they didn’t return home after an hour-long hike on the northeastern part of the island.
A Ford Explorer belonging to one of the women was found parked on Surge Narrows Road, so the search centred around that area, said search-and-rescue co-ordinator Paul Berry.
Searchers on Thursday found tracks and some orange peels, which gave an indication of the women’s direction of travel, he said. The team searched through the night, using night-vision goggles and forward-looking infrared as helicopters cast a spotlight from above.
The women were found about 1 p.m. Friday near a creek bed, Berry said. Their clothes were soaked to the skin due to rain and they were cold and hungry.
They only expected to be out for an hour so they didn’t wear warm clothes or pack extra food and water, Berry said. They didn’t have cellphones with them and the area does not have cell coverage.
Rescuers built a fire to help the women warm up. They were to be hoisted into a helicopter to be taken to paramedics waiting at the Quadra community centre, Berry said.
Paramedics were to assess whether the women need to be transported to hospital.
