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last mo.

Andrew Barber Found Alive After Nine-Day Ordeal in Cariboo Wilderness

Rapid aerial spotting of his carved distress messages enabled his rescue hours before dehydration became fatal.

Andrew Barber, seen here with his partner, survived on his own in the Cariboo wilderness for almost two weeks.
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Stock image: A police unit responds to the scene of an emergency.
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Overview

  • He survived nine days by drinking unclean pond water, constructing a makeshift shelter and carving “HELP” and “SOS” signals to attract rescuers.
  • A volunteer, police and medical search team combed the boggy, expansive Cariboo region using helicopter sweeps that first located his broken-down truck and then his shelter.
  • Officials airlifted Barber to Cariboo Memorial Hospital on August 8, where he was treated for severe dehydration and a leg injury that had limited his mobility.
  • Barber has been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery, according to hospital and RCMP statements.
  • Authorities say it remains unclear why Barber ventured into the remote area before his truck broke down, underscoring the risks of backcountry travel.