Balloonists blown off course during a competition were rescued by Victor Mine staff before being flown to Timmins.
A helicopter stationed at the remote mine site in the James Bay lowlands recovered the two balloonists, who were uninjured.
"We are extremely proud of our Victor Mine team for their quick and professional action to what could have been a very serious situation," said Al Collins, Superintendent Asset Services at Victor Mine who coordinated the support from the mine, in a news release. "Weather in the remote northern region can be quite harsh this time of the year, but fortunately everything went well and we have a happy ending."
Canadian Forces Base Trenton Rescue Coordination Centre contacted the mine site near Attawapiskat for help rescuing the balloonists, an American resident and Polish resident, yesterday.
They were reportedly blown off course competing in the 23rd Annual Amercia's Challenge Gas Balloon Race in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and were racing to Duluth. They made an emergency landing in the Northern Ontario muskeg about 100 kilometres west of the mine site.
According to De Beers, they were flown back by helicopter back to the mine site, given a meal and chance to shower before flying to Timmins.
Victor Mine is Ontario's first diamond mine and ended its operations earlier this year. Staff are still on site for the reclamation process.
