SALT LAKE CITY--()--Boart Longyearâ„¢ (ASX: BLY) today reported the safe rescue of a drill rig employee who had been missing for more than two days after becoming lost on a snowmobile on his way to a worksite in northern Canada. Rescuers found Michel Justin Pilon, 38, alive and safe in an igloo-like shelter he had built.
“We are very gratified that Mr. Pilon was able to apply his instincts and training to withstand harsh weather conditions and survive under very difficult conditions”
Pilon was rescued at about 10:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 16, a short distance from the Meliadine project, near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay. On Tuesday, he was reported missing after failing to arrive at his drill rig. Pilon was traveling along a marked trail with three other co-workers. Conditions included snow and visibility of about 500 meters.
“We are very gratified that Mr. Pilon was able to apply his instincts and training to withstand harsh weather conditions and survive under very difficult conditions,�?? said Richard O’Brien, President and CEO of the Company. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they reunite. Our corporate culture places the highest priority on the safety of employees and customers and includes ongoing training for all of our drillers. That culture, combined with Mr. Pilon’s personal experience in the far North, attention to his own safety and resourcefulness, allowed Mr. Pilon to survive a harrowing experience.�??
The search was hampered at times by blizzard conditions. After being rescued, Pilon received medical observation in Rankin Inlet. Then he flew home to be reunited with his wife and family.
About Boart Longyear
With over 120 years of expertise, Boart Longyear is the world’s leading provider of drilling services, drilling equipment, and performance tooling for mining and drilling companies globally. It also has a substantial presence in energy, mine de-watering, oil sands exploration, and production drilling.
Boart Longyear is a global company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney, Australia. Sales in 2012 were over US$2 billion, and the company employs approximately 8500 employees worldwide. Contract drilling services are conducted in over 40 countries, and drilling products are manufactured in six global factories and sold to our customers in the 100+ countries where they operate.
More information about Boart Longyear can be found on the Internet at www.boartlongyear.com. To get Boart Longyear news direct, visit http://www.boartlongyear.com/rssfeed.
