RCMP says drones were ‘game changer’ in Rice River Canyon hiker rescue

The RCMP is calling its drone expansion as a success after one of the unmanned aerial vehicles was used to help rescue stranded hikers in Rice River Canyon this month.

“It really did a great job, and honestly, I don’t know if it would have turned out as well if we didn’t have that piece of equipment there,” said Superintendent Devin Pugh with the Saskatchewan RCMP.

The RCMP said the four hikers called for help on a cell phone with a satellite function on June 16 after their hike turned dangerous when water levels rose by three feet overnight. While the hikers were experienced, the RCMP said they weren’t able to return on their planned riverside route due to the conditions.

Pugh said one of RCMP’s aerial drones helped find the hikers, leading to a quick rescue.

#RCMPSK Officers aid four friends on hiking trip turned dangerous

Read more about it here: https://t.co/1u7jT1dVVM pic.twitter.com/A671l4Znde

— RCMP Saskatchewan (@RCMPSK) June 21, 2024

“In these types of situations where its an emergency situation, we need to get to the people quickly,” he said. “We have that ability to launch (a drone) right away, and in this case that’s exactly what took place.”

The hikers were camping at Red River Canyon about 100 kilometres east of Carrot River at the time of the call.

Pugh said the drone, which was deployed by the Carrot River RCMP detachment, was able located the hikers, help direct officers to their location, and lead hikers to a safer location where they eventually made contact with the officers. The officers knew the area well, and led the group to safety by an alternate route.

Pugh said the drone helped keep both officers and civilians safe during the rescue.

Two types of aerial drones are used by Mounties in Saskatchewan. (Saskatchewan RCMP/Submitted)

“The quick ability for that piece of equipment using thermal to be able to identify where they are expedited that rescue immensely,” he said. “It’s a game changer.”

Pugh said he has been involved in many searches without drones during his 25 years as a Mountie. If they did not have the drone, officers would have begun a ground search in a grid pattern, which Pugh said can take a very long time.

Ground searches in densely wooded areas are especially challenging, Pugh explained, as they can take “an incredible amount of time and effort” and can be dangerous for both the missing people and those involved in the search.

Last year, the Saskatchewan RCMP announced it would expand its aerial drone program to every detachment in the province. Since January, Pugh said 86 RCMP drones have been used to in 354 operational flights.

The drones are operated by officers within the RCMP detachments who have received an advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems licence through Transport Canada.