McCallum Settlement Falls in North River, N.S. was the scene of a dramatic rescue Thursday night after a teenage girl fell down a ravine.
A 16-year-old girl was with a group of friends at the popular swimming spot when she lost her footing and fell 15 metres down the embankment.
Police say it took place at about 7:30 p.m. Because there is no cell coverage in the area, someone drove out and called the girl’s father, who called 911.
“When we got on the scene, some of the people were still around and the father guided us to where the patient was at that point,” said Guy Gallant of the North River Fire Brigade.
Emergency responders treated the girl at the scene, but determined the terrain posed too great an obstacle to get her out without help.
“It was approximately a 60, 70-foot downward slope to get to the bottom, at a very steep angle, could be 60, 70 degrees. So just getting down to it was very difficult,” Gallant said.
A search and rescue helicopter from 413 Squadron Greenwood was called in, arriving at about 11 p.m. to fly the girl out.
The helicopter flew her out to meet with emergency services for further treatment.
It’s believed her injuries were not life threatening, but exact details have not been released.
Gallant said being called to the area was a first for him and his crew.
“I've been with the department for 20 years and we've never had a call to that area for any type of rescue, so we haven't known it to be of any significant danger,” he said.
Gallant remarked that there are no signs to mark the location of the local swimming hole, or to indicate any danger.
“I don't know if it's private property, or if it's public or what has to happen to it. Perhaps some kind of signage saying, you know, just restricting it, would be good to have for sure,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh
