ATV riders aid in rescue of 83-year-old man

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

Last Saturday evening, RCMP say they received a call from a father and his 11-year-old 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 from Calgary sought higher ground to gain a cellphone signal, the pair lost track of the senior.

But their actions led to rescue agencies being mobilized who then scoured the hilly, wooded 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 two and a half hours after the first call, the 40-year old father from Calgary 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 seniors’ survival on what was a chilly night in the rugged area, said Cpl. Dalyn Orsten.

“The caller and his 11-year-old 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.