A 29-year-old man from Esgenoôpetitj First Nation was rescued from a wooded area following a lengthy search in Bellefond, N.B.
On January 7, 2022, at approximately 2 a.m., the Blackville RCMP responded to a report of a missing person. The man was last seen going into a wooded area the previous morning at 8 a.m. Police and his family were concerned for his wellbeing as he was not dressed properly for the weather.
At approximately 5:20 a.m., police located the individual in the woods after tracking him for over six and half kilometres. The man was alive but in distress and unable to walk. Police officers took turns carrying the man back to safety, where he was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
"Our members' quick actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic event," says Cpl. Keith Gill with the Blackville RCMP. "We are thankful that the individual was located in time and transported to hospital where he will receive the care he needs."
The RCMP Police Dog Services led the search, with the assistance of members of the Blackville and Sunny Corner RCMP detachments, Ambulance New Brunswick, and the Miramichi Fire Department. We would also like to thank the Department of Justice and Public Safety for offering their assistance.