WHITESHELL, Man. — RCMP in eastern Manitoba say a hiker has been found dead after officers responded to a distress signal from a personal satellite messenger device.
Police say the co-ordinates from the signal, which was received Friday, placed its origin on the Mantario Trail, a backcountry route in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park.
They say further investigation determined that an 18-year-old man from East St. Paul, Man., had been dropped off with supplies at the southern trailhead near Caddy Lake earlier that morning.
A helicopter that was already in the general area flew to the spot where the signal came from, spotted the hiker and noted he wasn’t moving, but wasn’t able to land.
Rescuers then made their way to the scene near the trail on the east side of Marion Lake, and located the hiker dead.
Police say they are still investigating and an autopsy has been scheduled.