ATV riders help rescue man, 83, lost in Porcupine Hills area

CALGARY A father and son enjoying an ATV ride in the foothills southwest of Calgary discovered a disoriented and missing senior, saving his life, say RCMP.

Last Saturday evening, RCMP say they received a call from a father and his 11-yearold son that they'd come across an elderly man deep in the Porcupine Hills wilderness west of Claresholm.

“The caller further reported that the elderly man appeared to be confused and disoriented,” Claresholm RCMP said in a statement. When the caller — a Calgary man — sought higher ground to gain a cellphone signal, he and his son lost track of the senior.

But their actions led to rescue agencies being mobilized who then scoured the area.

“During the response, investigation revealed that the elderly man was an 83 year old from Crowsnest Pass reported missing only minutes prior,” said RCMP.

At 9:20 p.m., nearly 2½ hours after the first call, the father and members of Willow Creek Emergency Services once again located the man who was assessed and taken back to his family.

The ATV riders' actions were crucial in ensuring the senior's survival on what was a chilly night in the rugged area, said Cpl. Dalyn Orsten.

“The caller and his 11-yearold son undoubtedly saved the missing man's life,” said Orsten. “Without their actions calling police and assisting emergency services, the outcome could have been very different.”

Mounties say it's believed the missing senior had been wandering in the hills for about eight hours after his vehicle had become stuck.

That vehicle — a 2010 blue Ford Ranger pickup truck with Alberta licence plate BZT-4787 — is still missing and is likely in the area of Lyndon Creek/east Trout Creek, said RCMP.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to call Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445 or their local police service.