B.C. photographer found safe and sound after spending the night outdoors

GOLDEN, B.C. – It was a picture-perfect ending for an amateur British Columbia photographer stranded in the wilderness overnight.

RCMP and search-and-rescue crews launched a rescue operation after learning a wildlife enthusiast had failed to return from a day-long photo excursion around the community of Golden, B.C., on Saturday.

Two helicopters and a plane were dispatched at first light on Sunday and quickly spotted the man and his vehicle.

Police say he was in good health after opting to remain with his vehicle, which had become stuck.

RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says the man briefly tried to walk out of the bush on his own after he realized he was unable to dig himself out, but wisely chose to stay with his vehicle to improve his chances of being found.

Moskaluk says searchers have a much easier time locating a vehicle than a person on the ground.