The Alberni Valley Rescue Squad was called out for a second time this week on Wednesday to attend to a woman who got into trouble while swimming in Wally Creek, located off Highway 4 about halfway between Tofino and Port Alberni.
A helicopter was called in, but crews ended up carrying out a rope rescue, using a harness to pull the victim up a ravine wall extending about 7.5 metres from the creek.
The woman had been swimming up river before being swept downstream and into a log jam, said spokesperson Richard Johns.
A member of the rope crew was able to rappel right to the log jam, so that the swift-water team that responded did not have to enter the creek.
Johns said the woman had bumped her head and was taken to hospital as a precaution by a waiting B.C. Emergency Health Services ambulance.
“There were no significant injuries that I’m aware of,” he said.
He said that anyone who swims in creeks or crivers should be aware of any hazards, like waterfalls, downed trees, rocks and fast-moving water.
“Our swift-water teams train extensively in water like that and train specifically to get out of bad situations.”
Johns said he hasn’t heard of any similar incidents in the area in the past.
Mutual aid in the rescue effort was provided by Arrowsmith Search and Resue, West Coast Helicopters, Airspan Helicopters and the RCMP.
Wednesday’s rescue followed one Sunday along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail after a hiker fell into the ocean and became stranded on some rocks.
The man was lifted to safety on a nearby beach by a line extended from a helicopter. From there, he was flown to Port Renfrew, where he was met by an ambulance crew.
The Alberni Valley Rescue Squad has 41 active members and has been serving the region since 1956.
