Dear editor:
On Super Bowl Sunday I skied to the top of Hollyburn Mountain with a longtime ski buddy and my son.
My friend took a hard fall in steep terrain while skiing down next to the upper section of the marked winter trail. Three snowshoers who witnessed his fall immediately came to his aid. They went out of their way to assess and comfort him and helped carry his gear as he slowly walked down the mountain after regaining his wits.
Once he was on the cross-country trails, a doctor who was skiing stopped and provided further assistance. She also skied back up the trails to be present when the ski patrol arrived by snowmobile.
My friend was thoroughly assessed and transported by snowmobile to the first aid hut, and eventually to Lions Gate Hospital by ambulance. Several hours and a scan later he was released from hospital. He was very relieved to find out that he had not sustained any serious injuries despite a hard impact to his head and neck.
On behalf of my friend and everyone in our ski party, I want to acknowledge how nice it was to have interacted with so many kind, caring and compassionate people throughout the event.
Thanks are also due to the kind woman that gave me a ride to my car that was parked in an overflow lot at Cypress. That really sped up the transfer of gear and ultimately my friend’s departure for Lions Gate Hospital.
It was reassuring to see so many people freely and openly offering assistance in such a circumstance.
Steve Oates
North Vancouver
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