Hudson’s Hope RCMP monthly bulletin: Elderly elk passes away after being stuck in fence

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — The Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to 36 calls for service between April 21st and May 22nd. Between the dates, 49 written violations and warning tickets were issued to drivers for various motor vehicle-related offences. Highway and road safety continues to be a focus for the Hudson’s Hope RCMP.

On April 22nd, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to a motor vehicle accident along Hwy 29, which involved a pickup truck vs a silage chopper. Police attended the scene and discovered that an EB truck pulling a silage chopper with an improper towing pin used came loose and drifted into the WB lane, colliding head-on with an oncoming truck. All persons within the truck that was struck were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle towing the farming equipment received several Motor Vehicle Act fines. 

On April 23rd, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to a residence along Twelve Mile Rd. to assist with an elk that had gotten stuck in a fence. Members attended and were successful in releasing the elk, but later learnt that due to the length of time that the animal had been stuck, this had caused too much stress, and the elk later passed away. It was discovered that this elk was very well into its elderly years. 

On May 3rd, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP conducted a check-stop along Hwy 29, checking for impaired driving and Motor Vehicle Act compliance. Police stopped a motorist who presented signs of impairment. Upon administering a roadside sobriety test, the driver failed both tests and received a driving prohibition for 90 days, with their vehicle impounded for 30 days. 

On May 18th, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to a crash detection from a cell phone along Canyon Dr.  Upon attending the scene and locating a side x side being driven along the road, police stopped to speak with the driver and confirmed that no accident had occurred but based on observations of the driver, police suspected the driver to be impaired. The driver refused to comply with a road-side sobriety test, therefore he automatically received a 90-day driving prohibition with the side x side being impounded for 30-days. 

On May 20th, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP was conducting patrols through Second Beach when sirens and a loudspeaker were heard. Upon speaking with a bystander, it was learnt that an individual who was operating a red ATV was using a siren and stopping at campsites, stating that he was a police officer and was conducting checks. Police confirmed that this individual was impersonating a police officer, and upon later locating this individual, he fled from police on his ATV. The ATV was later located abandoned, and police seized and impounded the ATV after removing the wired-in police siren, which is an illegal aftermarket item. The registered owner denied knowledge of the siren but was issued several violation tickets. 

During the span of the May long weekend, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP along with BC Conservation, were out in full force, utilizing the RCMP boat on Dinosaur Lake, RCMP ATV’s were deployed on the back trails, enforcing the Off-Road Vehicle Act and conducting safety checks for camp fires. Along with general road and highway patrols and various check-stops, the RCMP was able to make its presence known, and this made for a safe weekend for visitors with no major incidents. During the ATV patrols in the back country, police located and put out several abandoned campfires that had been left ignited upon campers leaving the site. 

The Hudson’s Hope RCMP is seeking individuals who have the commitment and flexibility to fill casual positions as RCMP Detention Guards. This position has no fixed work schedule, and candidates are called in to work on an as-needed basis. See the attached BC Commissionaires poster for further information. Any questions regarding this position can be answered by calling the Hudson’s Hope RCMP.

Anyone with information regarding current or past investigations can contact the Hudson’s Hope RCMP directly at 250-783-5241 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Written by Cpl. Erich Schmidt with the Hudson’s Hope RCMP