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Editorial - Quiet Perseverance |
| Written by Drew McCarthy | |
| Wednesday, 03 January 2007 | |
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In the Canadian helicopter industry, patience and perseverance are
highly valued. When combined with training, well-maintained equipment
and professionalism, they create a culture of safety – the foundation
of the industry. That is why it is important every now and then to take a moment to reflect on certain individuals and their triumphs: To recognize the people who represent the highest standards to which we can aspire. On January 19, Peter Murray, a pilot and the owner of Talon Helicopters in Vancouver, B.C., flew a mission that saved a man’s life. The victim’s ordeal began two days earlier on Wed., Jan. 17. He and a companion were snowshoeing in the vicinity of North Vancouver’s Mount Seymour, five miles back in the mountains, when the man took a 100-metre fall. His companion called for help on his cell phone and members of the North Shore Rescue were dispatched. Murray himself flew the first two rescuers out to the site on Wednesday just before nightfall. He dropped them off by performing a hover exit. The snowshoer who called in the accident was evacuated by other rescue team members later in the evening. He was located close to the trail where his companion slipped and fell. On Thursday, bad weather and a high risk of avalanches slowed down the pace of the land operation to rescue the injured man, who remained in the vicinity of Lake Theta. An attempt to reach the victim with a Cormorant was unsuccessful because of low ceilings, rain, snow and fog. Murray did not make any attempts on Thursday because the ceiling and visibility were well below minimums. On Friday, the clouds on the south side of the mountain were rolling and turning at around 1,500 ft. Murray is familiar with the region’s fickle weather patterns. His knowledge comes from growing up in North Vancouver, hiking the trails, and from 25 years of experience flying in the area. He knew there were options. “What can happen,” says Murray, “is that on the eastern side of the mountain, the cloud cover will sometimes lift to a more stable 2,500 ft.” He decided to explore the eastern side. Murray returned on Friday around noon with two members of North Shore Rescue on board. He flew up the east side of the mountain, keeping a close eye on Lake Theta. For about an hour or so he flew his AStarB2 along inlets probing up and down through the rain-snow layer, all the while carefully watching for signs of icing. No opportunity presented itself and Murray returned to Vancouver Heliport for fuel. He took on three more hours of fuel and headed back up Indian Arm. After monitoring and probing for most of the afternoon, Murray discerned a break in the weather. The clouds had lifted. He flew carefully up over the top of the 200-ft. high trees that surround Lake Theta and surveyed the scene. The area over the lake was clear and the victim and ground rescuers, who had arrived on skis, were excited first to hear and then see Murray’s aircraft. Murray acknowledged them but his first task was to establish his escape route. He determined that he could get back over the trees, but he also knew that with the AStar he had the option of putting down at the lake. He flew back over the lake and now with two workable options in hand, he descended. He hovered over the top of the site while ground rescuers quickly – very quickly – loaded the man who was on a spine board and encased in a hypothermia rescue suit. Murray says the victim “looked like a big sausage.” The actual time of loading was about 15 seconds. The victim was strapped into the back of the helicopter, and Murray lifted off over the 200-foot stand of trees, which were still clearly visible. Murray flew back down Indian Arm with the victim and was then able to fly the nearly dead man quickly to safety. After the rescue, Don Jardine of North Shore Rescue was quoted by the CBC as saying, “This pilot is unbelievable in the mountains.” No doubt. Murray’s prowess was evident. He never pushed it. He had supreme confidence in his aircraft, his training and his own judgment. Never once were he or any of his passengers in danger. Murray understood his capabilities. And then his discipline, experience and professionalism all came together in one decisive moment. Mission accomplished. Bravo Peter, you are a credit to your profession.
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