At approximately 3:30 p.m. on April 13, Terrace Search and Rescue (SAR) Water Rescue Team was asked by Prince Rupert to assist in the evacuation of a family stranded on China Bar in the Skeena River.
Their vehicle had become stranded on an isolated gravel bar as tide/melt water in the river began to rise, said SAR president Dwayne Sheppard.
The waters were rising fast and the team was told the rising waters would completely cover the gravel bar in 15 minutes, putting the subjects at risk, he said.
Within a next few minutes, the team was paged and three swift water rescue technicians responded via helicopter down the Skeena River, said Sheppard.
Three additional team members responded with the water rescue truck to provide further support, he added.
Once on scene, the team used the helicopter to transport the stranded family of five including children, to the larger section of China Bar, which included access to the highway, he said.
Police transported the family back to Prince Rupert and the family made plans to retrieve the vehicle the next day, said Sheppard.