Crews in North Vancouver rappelled from the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in an attempt to rescue two teenagers from the waters below on Monday night. A social media post from District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services the following morning detailed firefighters using specialized rope rescue equipment to lower crew members from the bridge in the dark. Assistant Chief Ryan Stewart told CTV News that DNVFRS was notified about people in need of rescue in the canyon’s waters just after 9 p.m., but added crews weren’t given many details beyond that at the time. Firefighters met with park rangers on arrival, Stewart said, and were told that multiple groups were still in the water in the dark. He explained that crews spoke to one group who managed to get themselves out but found two people were still stuck in an area below the bridge. Stewart said the rescue team elected to set up a command post on the suspension bridge and lower a firefighter down with an inflatable rescue boat in tow. “We had very limited visibility. It was pitch black in the area,” he said. “We didn’t have very good eyes on the people down below, and with the noise of the water, there’s very limited communication.” As Stewart explains, the rescuer swam towards the two people once he was all the way down from the bridge, but they became frightened and ran into the darkness. “They actually managed to scramble up a very steep, dangerous trail in the dark, just downstream from the suspension bridge, where they were met by a park ranger,” he said. Stewart was pleased with the outcome, as everyone ultimately left without injuries, but urged future rescuees to remain in place when crews are on the way to help. “We would just like to reiterate that our goal when we’re coming to rescue people is to provide the best outcome for people needing help, and for our rescuers as well,” he said. “We ask the public, if they’re in a situation where rescuers are coming to them, to stay put, not be afraid that they’re going to get in trouble and flee from the area; that can often lead to a much worse outcome.” Historically dangerous area Lynn Canyon Regional Park is filled with signs asking people not to go beyond marked fences and into dangerous areas, like the water under the suspension bridge. The park is a popular recreational swimming area in the summer, but dozens have drowned in its waters over the years. Stewart said the pair was very lucky to escape from the area safely, noting he’d responded to fatal incidents there before. “They probably unknowingly put themselves in a very serious position of potential harm,” he added. The two rescuees identified themselves as 18-year-olds from the Lower Mainland, DNVFRS confirmed. It has been a busy rescue season for DNVFRS, with Stewart confirming around 50 technical rescues conducted to this point in the year.
