Nanaimo Fire Rescue Crews and BC Ambulance paramedics assisting an injured male hiker on Sunday, June 30. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

steep fall

2 hikers fall from cliff at Nanaimo’s Pipers Lagoon Park

Jun 29, 2025 | 4:31 PM

NANAIMO — Emergency responders rescued two people who fell down a steep embankment at a popular north Nanaimo park.

Calls to 911 were made on Sunday, June 29 at about 1:30 p.m in response to a pair of downed hikers in distress at Pipers Lagoon Park.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Capt. Colin Fergusson said both patients fell about 25 feet.

“They ended up at the bottom of the cliff and we had to effect a rope rescue to bring them back up and both have been transported to NRGH — no real status on the extent of injuries yet,” Fergusson told NanaimoNewsNOW on scene.

A technical rope rescue was used to retrieve both fallen hikers on Sunday, June 30 at Pipers Lagoon Park in Nanaimo’s north end. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The patients were brought up and taken to hospital individually on stretchers.

The second hiker, a male, was conscious as he was loaded into an ambulance.

Fergusson said circumstances leading up to the incident aren’t immediately clear.

The blue GPS dot indicates where the two hikers fell down a 25-foot cliff at Pipers Lagoon Park (Google)

Pipers Lagoon Park’s elevated, uneven and rocky terrain can be treacherous.

On June 1, a woman sustained multiple fractures after falling in the same area.

With more people hiking this time of year, Fergesson said it’s important to take actions to reduce risks while hiking, particularly recreation areas involving drop-offs.

“Wear the appropriate footwear, be very aware of their surroundings — how close they are getting to cliff edges,” he said.

On Monday June 30, BC Emergency Health Services issued a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients who were transported to hospital in stable condition,” stated paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites.

Emergency responders drove to the end of the narrow access path at Pipers Lagoon Park to more easily access the patients. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A wheel was attached to the bottom of stretchers to help transfer the injured hikers to waiting ambulances. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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