Flin Flon made international news for two weeks in 1960 after a small pontoon plane failed to return to its base on May 28.
The plane had gone out on what was supposed to be a short fishing trip up to Tartan Lake, a distance of about 20 miles. On board were three people: two adults, pilot Ken Harrison and Steve Sedor, and Steve’s nine-year-old son, Walter.
After the plane was reported missing, every resource was brought into action for the search, but after two weeks, hope was nearly gone.
Then by fluke a bush pilot, Harvey Evans, flying to Pukatawagan on a charter, spotted the wing of the downed aircraft and called in the coordinates.
Within an hour a helicopter arrived and lowered Dr. Glen Willson to the crash site where he rescued little Walter, the only survivor.
The boy had lost a lot of weight but was uninjured. He’s been thrown clear in the accident. Apparently his father, horribly burned, lived long enough to tell Walter to stay with the plane and wait to be rescued.
Steve also told Walter there were survival rations, but Walter didn’t find them. He survived on leaves and twigs and occupied his time playing with an eraser with a piece of string tied to it.
A mother bear and her cub apparently became frequent visitors, but didn’t harm him. Apparently the mama bear allowed the boy to play with the cub while she went off to do whatever bears do.
At night Walter found shelter and stayed warm under a pile of leaves in a cave.
When Walter saw his mother back in Flin Flon Hospital, the first thing he said was: “Hi Mom. You sure took a long time sending someone to find me.”
Walter’s favourite toy became a toy Beaver aircraft given him by Evans after the rescue.
