Missing hiker found alive after surviving 5 weeks in -4 degree temperatures
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/ Sandra Crocker
A hiker who ended up lost in the woods in Canada in freezing conditions for over five weeks has since been found.
On October 7, Sam Benastick set out on his own for a 10-day camping, fishing and hiking trip in Redfern-Keily Provincial Park northwest of Fort St. John, BC, Canada.
However, on October 19, the 20-year-old was reported missing after his loved ones didn't hear from him after 10 days.
Sam remained missing for five weeks until Northern Rockies Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed that he had been located on Tuesday (November 26).
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The RCMP reports Sam was spotted by two people who were heading to the Redfern Lake trail to work.
After confirming it was him, the pair rushed the missing hiker to hospital and police further confirmed his identity.
Sam reportedly told police he set out for a 10-day camping trip, staying in his car 'for a couple of days' before walking to 'a creek, mountain side' where he camped for 10-15 days.
He then 'moved down the valley, and built a camp and shelter in a dried-out creek bed'.
And on Tuesday (November 21), he managed to flag down the two passersby, with Sam reportedly spotted supporting himself with two walking sticks and with a cut-up sleeping bag wrapped around his legs for warmth.
During the five weeks Sam was missing, his parents traveled to the area, staying in Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, B.C. while they searched for their son along with over 100 volunteers, RCMP canine units and aerial support.
General manager of the inn, Mike Reid, told CBC News: "You know, the guy says he's in rough shape. But man, for 50 days out in that cold, he's going to live."
Sam's uncle, Al Benastick, added his nephew was found to have 'frostbite' and was also suffering as a result of 'some smoke inhalation' but he notes it's 'kind of unbelievable' his nephew survived at all.
He reflected: "Imagine being out there, being that cold, for that long."
Indeed, a search and volunteer from Prince George named Adam Hawkins noted how conditions can drop below -4°F and are 'incredibly challenging'.
BC RCMP Communications spokesperson, Madonna Saunderson, said: "Finding Sam alive is the absolute best outcome. After all the time he was missing, it was feared that this would not be the outcome."
The RCMP release resolved: "The RCMP would like to sincerely thank the Fort Nelson and North Peace and Search and Rescue teams, including other Search and Rescue jurisdictions that provided mutual aid support, the Canadian Rangers along with many local volunteers with extensive back country knowledge of the area.
"The time, effort and resources put in to locate Sam from the time of notification he was missing was beyond measure. We are thankful for the great outcome." she concluded.