October 7, 2024 – Private Doug Zdanivsky, Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol, 4e Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
It was only after 6 p.m. on September 22 that the announcement was made on the radio: Oaklynn Schweder, a six-year-old girl missing since the evening of September 19 – 73 hours earlier – had been found in a clearing between his house and the Skin Tyee gang office.
Search and rescue teams from across British Columbia, firefighters from the BC Wildfire Service and hundreds of local civilian volunteers converged on Southbank, a small community south of Burns Lake, to assist in the research efforts.
The RCMP also requested assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces, who deployed Vanderhoof’s Canadian Ranger patrol. Sergeant Chris Buker, commander of the Vanderhoof patrol, says he heard about the hunt on the morning of September 20, and that in the afternoon his chain of command authorized the patrol to deploy.
Finding Oaklynn was very urgent, not only because of her age and weather conditions, but also because she is non-verbal autistic, although search teams were told she would respond to her name.
Members of the Ranger patrol were tasked with sweeping the shores of Lake Uncha from their boats and leading groups of civilian volunteers in land searches. The search manager for BC Search and Rescue was very happy that the rangers had radios and GPS with them, equipment they usually carry on a daily basis. The weather conditions were difficult. It was cold and rainy, a testament to the resilience of young Oaklynn, who had left her home three nights before without waterproof clothing or shoes.
“I have been humbled by the incredible support shown by the community. More than 600 people showed up,” says Sergeant Buker. “I am very proud of the work accomplished by our rangers, who were able to immediately participate in the search efforts. Some of the training we have done recently has proven to be very useful over the last few days.”
A spokesperson for the RCMP and BC Search and Rescue said it was one of the largest search operations ever recorded in northern British Columbia. During the search, RCMP drones equipped with thermal detectors, as well as dogs from British Columbia Search and Rescue and the RCMP were used. Searches were also conducted from the air using BC Fire Service helicopters.
“Words cannot describe the joy and emotion we felt at the end of the search day today,” said Master Corporal Dan Geary, a member of the Vanderhoof patrol. “It is thanks to the collective efforts of all the people and organizations who participated in the search that little Oaklynn was able to be reunited with her family. The members of the South End community are amazing. »
Oaklynn was examined at the hospital and is in good health. Her parents are extremely grateful to everyone who helped find her and supported them, and they expressed their gratitude on social media.
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