A successful outcome after a multi-agency search for a missing hunter in Brighton Township on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
“It was a fantastic outcome, which is not always the case,” said Brighton Fire Department Captain Adam McCurdy.
Family members became concerned and called 9-1-1 when the man in his late 80’s didn’t come home after hunting for deer around Lakeshore Road in the south west area of Brighton.
The hunter also didn’t have a cell-phone with him.
Brighton Fire Department responded around 7 p.m. to assist Northumberland OPP to look for the hunter in a wooded area of approximately 40-acres.
Northumberland Paramedics were also dispatched and OPP Emergency Response Team members were also involved in the search.
Trent Hills Fire Department was dispatched as they have a thermal imaging drone.
While members of the OPP went into the bush, the drone searched from the air.
Around 10 p.m. the thermal imaging of the drone spotted the person in the woods.
“The drone was able to locate (see) the flashlight that the hunter had, and the fire department was able to guide the OPP to the individuals location.”
Brighton Fire Department used their UTV (utility task vehicle) to bring the hunter out of the woods and to be checked over by paramedics as a precaution.
The temperature at the time was -6 degree, but felt like minus -17 with the wind chill.
“Given the cold temperatures, it would have been a difficult night for him.”
McCurdy said when the individual was found and brought the hunter out of the woods, “it was a definite moment of relief.”
“I’m very glad emergency services were able to get to him when they could.”
“It was a phenomenal team effort with everyone working together,” adding the hunter, “he had a lot of will.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
