Missing hiker found in Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island

Comox Valley Search and Rescue says crews have found a hiker who has been missing from the Strathcona Park area on Vancouver Island since Monday.

Search and rescue commander Paul Berry said Keshav Jindal, 25, was extracted out of the area which included steep terrain.

“The two hikers involved had set off … from the parking lot at Ravens Lodge early that morning to summit Mount Albert Edward,” he explained.

Then the two hikers split up, with Jindal continuing the hike, according to Berry. Jindal’s hiking partner then reported him missing.

“We found him on a set of cliff bands … above Moat Lake, which was the area we had determined as our highest probability area,” said Berry.

Berry noted Jindal is alive, but it’s unclear what condition he is in. He was transported to a hospital by air ambulance Thursday afternoon, according to Berry.

The trail is well-travelled at this time of year, Berry said, but has some difficult terrain.

Berry said the seven search-and-rescue teams that were looking for Jindal remained hopeful they would find him, especially given good weather conditions in the area this week.