British Columbia (Richa Walia): A high-stakes helicopter rescue near the Silver Creek wildfire took an unexpected twist when the man plucked from a dangerous cliffside was immediately arrested by police on outstanding criminal charges.
The man, identified as 27-year-old Cayden Blackwell, was spotted stranded on a rocky ledge above the wildfire, which was burning in rugged terrain near the popular Serpent’s Back Trail in BC’s Fraser Valley. As firefighting crews battled the 0.6-hectare blaze, they heard someone calling for help from high above the fire line.
Search and rescue teams from Hope and Chilliwack, along with Valley Helicopters, quickly coordinated a daring long-line extraction to lift the man to safety. Pilot Brad Fandrich, who carried out the rescue, described the operation as one of the most dramatic of his career — but nothing prepared him for what followed.
“We’ve never had someone go from rescue to handcuffs in under two minutes,” Fandrich remarked. “That was definitely a first.”
Waiting on the ground were RCMP officers, who swiftly arrested Blackwell upon his arrival. According to Staff Sgt. Mike Sargent, Blackwell was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants and is now facing a slew of charges, including:
- Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon
- Possession of stolen property
- Driving while prohibited
Court records also show that Blackwell was previously charged earlier this year with dangerous operation of a vehicle and resisting arrest, and he has a 2024 conviction for driving without a license.
Authorities have not ruled out whether Blackwell intentionally started the fire to call for help, though the wildfire is suspected to be human-caused. Officials say the area is too rugged for camping, and no lightning strikes had been recorded in the vicinity prior to the blaze.
Investigators continue to examine the origins of the fire, while Blackwell remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
