Corner Brook and Deer Lake RCMP received three separate reports of lost/stranded snowmobilers over the weekend.
On Friday, April 12, 2019, Bay of Islands Volunteer Search and Rescue (BOISAR) received a report of four snowmobilers at the bottom of a large gorge in Blow Me Down Mountain. BOISAR were deployed to the area; however, the four snowmobilers were able to get themselves out of the gorge.
On Saturday, Corner Brook RCMP received a call from a lost snowmobiler in Serpentine Lake. The couple were lost in the area and unable to find their way out. BOISAR was again deployed. The two snowmobilers remained in intermittent contact with police/search and rescue and approximately 12 hours later, ground search and rescue teams located them and returned them safely.
On Sunday, a call was received from a snowmobiler in the Angus Lake area. The couple, who became lost in whiteout conditions, were able to relay the GPS coordinates from their smartphone to police. Deer Lake Ground Search and Rescue teams reached the couple after six hours and returned them safely.
The RCMP thanks the Bay of Islands Volunteer Search and Rescue and Deer Lake Regional Search and Rescue Teams for their countless volunteer hours.
The RCMP reminds snowmobilers to always travel prepared when heading out to the back country. Check the weather conditions in your area before you leave and travel with a GPS. Ensure you include supplies in case you have to spend a night in the woods and always wear a helmet. Leave an itinerary with someone you know and don't ride alone. Also, become familiar with your GPS and/or smartphone map apps before you travel to ensure you are able to use them in a potentially stressful situation.