Strange SAR results in a lawsuit: RCMP helicopter pilot misses SOS in the snow.

But the lost couple brought the problems and resulting deaths on themselves.

A Montreal Canada man is suing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) over a failed search and rescue (SAR) in Canada. In this case the man’s wife died and he suffered injuries after they got lost and the RCMP failed to search for them even after finding an SOS stamped in the snow. The couple was lost for nine days, the wife eventually dying.

The plaintiff is suing the search and rescue organization and the RCMP as well as the resort. Searches were called off because of conflicting information. Although the SOS was seen by pilots flying in the area, no one had reported anyone missing and no ski rental gear was reported missing.

The plaintiff and his wife had ducked ropes and skied out of bounds at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia. You duck a rope you’re on your own.

See Montreal-Area Man Sues Ski Resort, Police and Search and Rescue Group Over Delayed Rescue Effort
and Man files suit over botched rescue of his wife from mountains.