Thank you to First Responders for rescue off Strawberry Mountain

By Susan Brenciaglia
Wolf Bay, Pen Lake

“It takes a village”…to rescue Susan off Strawberry Mountain! Yes, I was the woman referred to in the March 6th news bulletin – Lake of Bays fire crews kept busy.

O.P.P., firefighters, paramedics, all came to my rescue and I want to express deep gratitude for their prompt and expert assistance. We are so very fortunate to have these wonderful First Responders in our Huntsville and Lake of Bays communities.

A Sunday afternoon snowshoe up our Mountain path ended in a dramatic rescue. Starting back down the trail, my snowshoes caught ice under the snow and I went for a big flip. I then had to inch and slide myself down the steep part of the hill. This being the only time we did not bring our cell phones…of course! After my husband made a sling with his sweater, he and our friend hurried down the hill and through the woods to our cottage home for help.

I continued to push my way down the path. Did I tell you that we saw fresh wolf tracks on our way up? So at this point I was imagining wolves nearby sensing an injured animal …me! Then my husband returned with a toboggan which proved not a safe way to travel over the rugged ground. The first of the First Responders on the scene was trusty O.P.P. officer Ted who helped me walk further down the hillside until, through the dark by this time, came the headlights of the firefighter’s A.T.V. on tracks.

The paramedics helped me into the wagon-like sleigh behind the A.T.V. and we were off through the woods over the rough terrain to the road and the waiting ambulance. It was such a surreal scene. (I see a movie.) The rest of the evening was spent in emergerncy department with nurses, doctors, x-rays etc., arriving home with a cast on my left arm. 🙁

I am so grateful to all the emergency community and for their kindness to me. From O.P.P. officer Ted, O.P.P. Supervisor Steve coming to the scene, the Firefighters from Hillside Station 30 and Port Cunnington Station 20, to the paramedics, and Brenda who made me as comfortable as possible on the way in and Andrew who drove so carefully over the icy, bumpy roads to reach Highway 60! Then onto Huntsville where I received expert care.

What a team and what an amazing and well co-ordinated rescue! Thank you all. I appreciate your effort very much. We are blessed to have such wonderful emergency and medical teams right here in our community!

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