Missing hiker at Golden Ears Park found alive
Ridge Meadows
2023-06-30 11:47 PDT
File # 2023-12847
Maple Ridge, B.C. – Ridge Meadows RCMP is confirming that the youth who went missing at Golden Ears Park on Tuesday, June 27, has now been found safe and sound.
Esther Wang has been located. She is healthy, she is happy and she is with family,
states Superintendent Wendy Mehat, Officer-in-Charge.
On Tuesday, June 27, 16-year-old, Esther Wang, was part of a hiking group in Golden Ears Park when, at around 3PM, she became separated from her group. Attempts to locate Esther by the group were unsuccessful and the group leader notified park officials who contacted RCMP. Ridge Meadows RCMP immediately activated Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue.
Last night, at around 9:30 p.m., approximately 54 hours since she went missing, Esther walked out of the East Canyon trail on her own. The East Canyon trail is the same trail she was on when she became separated from her group. She was assessed by BC Emergency Health Services at the scene and released to her family the same evening.
Esther’s family has expressed sincere gratitude to all first responders and Search and Rescue groups. They are very thankful for this outcome and request privacy at this time,
states Superintendent Mehat.
We’re elated at the outcome of the search and Esther being returned to her family is what our objective was,
states Ryan Smith, Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue.
16 were teams involved in the search from across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland up to the Sea-to-Sky corridor were all involved and teams had volunteered to come across today from Vancouver Island to assist in the search.
"We used as many resources as we could. I’d like to thank our partner organizations, the RCMP, other first responders, the helicopter companies that assisted us in this exhaustive search," states Smith.
Ridge Meadows RCMP and Search and Rescue are reminding people who are going out in the backcountry to make sure they have the ‘10 Essentials’ and to provide a trip plan to someone, including where they’re going and when they are going to be returning, so that they can call authorities if they are overdue.
The 10 Essentials:
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Extra food and water
- Extra clothing
- Navigational aids
- Fire starter
- First Aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Sun protection
- Pocket knife
- Signaling device
Ridge Meadows RCMP would like to thank the following:
- Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue who coordinated the dozens of Search and Rescue partners to assist us in the search
- Ridge Meadows RCMP Victim Services who assisted and supported the family
- Multiple Integrated RCMP Unit
- Ridge Meadows RCMP Volunteers
Released by
Superintendent Wendy Mehat
Officer in Charge
Ridge Meadows RCMP
11990 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC V2X 9B8
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