Beaver searchers found alive

Jack Elliott
Rainy River
Centennial Committee

Trapper, Wayne McCarthy and Town Crier, Doug Giles have been found alive after a week-long ordeal lost in the upper reaches of the Miller‚s Creek watershed. Jordan Beller of rural Dawson discovered the pair stumbling out of the bush near a complex of huge beaver ponds north of Blue Rd #3. Beller had been on the lookout for them since they had disappeared during a freak snowstorm March 27.
“I thought, I heard a faint cry for help late last night, so hiked it up there at first light. Both Mr McCarthy and Mr. Giles appeared in absolute terror, stumbling and tripping, while looking over their shoulders as if pursued by devils,”explained Beller today.
“But all I saw was a couple of timber wolves slipping through the trees and everybody knows a wolf won‚t attack a human,” he scoffed.
“Also, I never saw it, but I did hear a beaver slap its tail on the pond in warning. It sounded like a big one,” he concluded.
Both McCarthy and Giles were rushed to the Rainy River Health Centre for a complete examination. In a statement to the press released with the patients permission Dr. Albert Beller provided the following information.
“Both the patients are sedated and resting comfortably at home now. They appeared slightly delusional and in a state of complete physical and mental exhaustion. Fortunately they have no apparent physical injuries beyond some minor scratches and a bit of hypothermia,‰ opined Dr. Beller.
“But to be sure we haven‚t missed anything, we have drawn blood samples for a complete work up and should have the results in a few days,” he cautioned.
Staff at the Rainy River Health Centre appeared unfazed by the incident.
“We are prepared for most any emergency and we are health care professionals,‰ advised Duty Nurse, Scott Downs.
“But the news coverage of these strange Great Beaver sightings earlier, gave us an extra heads ups,” he added
Since their release, repeated phone calls to McCarthy have failed to elicit any response.
Mrs. Giles explained politely, but firmly at her door, “Doug isn’t well. He will not be receiving any visitors for a few days.”
However Giles could be heard in the background exclaiming in a strong voice, “Like a surf board! I tell you, that tail was that big!”