Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue were called to a cyclist who found himself stuck in the banks of the Alouette River.
Rick Laing, spokesperson for the Maple Ridge-based team, said they got a call on Saturday evening about the distressed rider. He had been riding on the dike system along the Alouette River, and went off the trail, and down a steep bank.
Unfortunately, when he attempted to get back up the bank, it was too high and muddy for him to climb back up. Blocking his exit in the other direction was a section of the river that was equally difficult to cross. He was off Neaves Road, near Blaney Creek.
He had been cycling for most of the day, became cold and exhausted, and called for assistance.
“He was wise to stay where he was,” Laing assessed.
Firefighters were on scene first, but were unable to rescue the man with a ladder. They called for help from the SAR team.
Laing said the SAR team members quickly deployed an RDC (rapid deployment craft) to cross the river, and had the cyclist back to safety in about 20 minutes.