Updated at 1:49 p.m.
The high school student lost overnight in the mountains in sub-zero temperatures has been found.
Ahousaht Chief Greg Louie reports that 14-year-old Leanne John was found about 12:30 p.m. up the mountain from the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.
“She was cold and tired but otherwise healthy and safe,” he said.
John was taking part in a school field trip March 3 at a resort in Bedwell Sound when she became separated from her class during a hike.
She was missing overnight and a massive search was launched as her anxious family waited for news at the resort.
Louie reports that she was assessed by medics on the mountain then flown by helicopter to Tofino General Hospital where she will go for further medical assessment.
They said she was cold but she wasn’t hypothermic, said Louie.
As for the community of Ahousaht, Louie says they were relieved and excited.
“There were cheers, high-fives and happy tears,” said Louie.
Updated: Girl has been found. She is cold, tired, but no injuries. She's being brought off the mountain now, and family and searchers are waiting for her at the marshalling area.
A routine school field trip has turned into a search for a teenage girl who went missing during a hike near the remote Clayoquot Wilderness Resort at Bedwell Sound.
Maaqtusiis School students were on a field trip to Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. It is a remote area, accessible only by boat or float plane.
According to Ahousaht Chief Greg Louie, a group of students went on a hike on the afternoon of March 3. When they gathered at their marshalling point and did a head count they discovered 14-year-old Leanne John was missing.
She is reported to have been wearing a t-shirt, sweater, jeans and sandals.
A search was launched immediately and the parents were contacted. According to Chief Louie they have been in Bedwell Sound, distraught and waiting for their daughter to be found.
More than 100 Ahousaht volunteers searched overnight. Louie says Ahousaht Ha’wiih are donating fuel for the search boats.
“The whole community is involved,” said Louie, adding that they’re getting together supplies and making meals for the searchers and the families, providing support in any way.
In addition Search and Rescue teams from Tofino, Mt. Arrowsmith and Port Alberni have joined the search along with volunteers from neighboring Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
A helicopter from Comox Search and Rescue arrived late last night and searched the forest using infrared technology. Chief Louie said they reported back to him at 1:30 a.m. saying the forest was just too dense for the infrared to penetrate.
As of Wednesday morning the search continues. The Tofino and Ahousaht RCMP and the Tofino Coast Guard are also searching. Cermaq employees are also joining the search.
School has been cancelled in Ahousaht and the Band Administration office is closed.
Google map to area where missing
