UPDATE: Man and woman reported missing in Columbia Valley found safe, RCMP say

Columbia Valley RCMP in Invermere say a man and woman reported missing for more than a week have been found.

The 22-year-old woman and 24-year-old man and their dog got their vehicle stuck in a creek crossing in the woods near Wasa. Search volunteers and the RCMP in a police helicopter said the couple did plenty to help themselves. They formed the word 'HELP' in the snow, along with an arrow. Searchers also spotted a bright orange tarp and their vehicle. They had taken refuge in a nearby cabin for a week.

"All were in good spirits," police spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said. "The couple has since been safely extracted from the back country and have been taken to an area hospital as a precaution for a full medical assessment."

All personal information has been removed from this story.

– This story was updated at 7:43 a.m. Nov. 1.

– Original story published at 2:38 p.m. Oct. 31.

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