Diary of Death

“Been out of food for two months. For God's sake pick us up."

Whenever tragedy struck the west coast of Vancouver Island during the years immediately preceding the Second World War, it usually was a Ginger Coote Airways plane to the rescue. Sometimes, however, even its dauntless pilots couldn't help.

So it was for Vancouver trappers James H. Ryckman, 56, and Lloyd Coombs. Their sad story in next week’s BC Chronicles.

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PHOTO: The mining stampede set off by the discovery of gold in Zeballos had peaked by the time trappers Ryckman and Coombs realized they were in trouble. When, finally, a passing aircraft spotted their distress signal it was too late. —BC Archives