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Storm BC: Helicopter rescue resumes as slides trap more vehicles along BC . highway

Vancouver –

A major rescue effort is still underway to help hundreds of people stranded on BC highways overnight after a violent storm triggered a number of landslides, landslides and rockfalls in the province.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Public Safety Secretary Mike Farnworth spoke to worried families who have had loved ones injured in their cars since Sunday, while also promising that the government would do everything. possible to bring them to safety.

Farnworth said: “We know it’s difficult but help is still being worked out.

Another slide occurred on Highway 7 near Haig on Monday leaving even more people stranded, although the exact number is still being determined.

Farnworth said: “Work is underway to rescue those cars and those people. “While we continue to face challenging weather conditions, we could see an improved forecast ahead, which will aid in the restoration and reopening of roads.”

Two of Sunday’s slides cut off Highway 7 between Agassiz and Hope, stranding about 290 people, according to Canada’s Task Force 1, a heavy urban search and rescue team that operates through through the Vancouver Fire Department.

The Agassiz Fire Department and Hope Search and Rescue were able to rescue 12 people Sunday night, but the rest – including about 50 children – were forced to shelter in place during the fierce storm.

Melanie Forsythe, who was driving from Vancouver to Prince George with her boyfriend and a friend, was among those stranded on the highway overnight.

“There are people here who are lacking insulin,” she said before being rescued on Monday. “I felt scared, but at least we were safe in a car.”

A helicopter was deployed Monday morning, and Farnworth said “progress has been made” in transporting more people to safety, despite the difficult weather.

Many people have been rescued by helicopters from mudslides near Agassiz and Hope, with crews working to rescue those remaining over the next few hours, the minister said.

About 50 vehicles were also trapped by a slide near Lillooet.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

With files from the Canadian Press

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