The following film, a dramatization of a 1991 Arctic supply flight
is based on published material and personal interviews.
I must be crazy. If you are, I'm sure glad. We haven't had a hairdresser in Alert
in months. You'r kidding.
Yeah, I have to run the the base stores. No frills. Well to a woman a hairdo is not a frill.
Excuse me, do you know if we're staying overnight or if we're going straight on to Alert?
I don't think anybody knows yet. Will you watch my stuff? Thanks.
Been there before? Yeah. I must be a glutton for punishment.
huh, it's not so bad.
It's got the movie theater, the gym, pool tables, it's even got a bowling.
Yeah, but it's tough you know, being up there for six months.
It's hard on the waiting kids,
and I got two baby girls now. I miss them already.
Yeah it's not fair. You could always go outside. Hate smoking in the cold.
None of these things ever work. Now here sir, join another one I got a bunch of change.
So what's the deal? Are we staying here or not?
I don't know. Somebody said we might be flying up this afternoon.
oh gee and I want to be the hot spot in Thule.
You said Alert was north, but this is ridiculous.
What you should have said is we're going to the North Pole, THE North Pole.
Northernmost military base in the world, actually. Oohh.
What do you think Rolly? Loaded and ready in half an hour?
With you John anything, but it's going to take 45 minutes at least.
We have the diesel tank. We have 13 passengers.
45 minutes is fine. No problem.
No problem. It's better than that. Pretty darn quick, I think.
Put you in an hour?
Why? Are you thinking I'm getting lazy?
You know me better than that. I'll see you inside.
So what's the word John? Box top 2-1 is down. Mechanical problems. We're up next.
I wasn't feeling very hungry anyway.
No rest for the weekend. At least we're not stationed up there permanently.
Hurry up and wait huh. Yeah and the PX isn't even open. I know.
I was supposed to get some duty-free stuff for friends.
They are not gonna be happy. Well, maybe we'll get to stay over.
I'm Sue. I'm a hairdresser. Wilma de Grou.
I'm a doctor. Oh.
I'm in Alert for a week filling in for med-aides on relief.
I'm gonna be up there for a week too.
Maybe we'll get to fly back together.
That is, if we ever get there.
What's that? Oh that's a diesel fuel tank.
It's huge. Yeah. These are new. They used to carry diesel in these big rubber bladders.
They look like giant water beds or something.
They stank like crazy.
Tanks are a lot better.
You sound like you've done this before. What's the flight like?
It's really nice. Lots of beautiful scenery. If you like snow.
Chi toto. I guess we're not in Kansas anymore.
I get this baby warmed up. One-stop shipping.
Now, I asked is there anything in the whole wide world you'd rather be doing than this?
Yeah, how about the Bermuda run.
I like your hair.
Really? I think it's kind of boring. The military thing and
oh no no, I love it and the color is so natural.
It is natural.
Oh do you try perm or something?
Oh god I've had so many perms my hair is entirely thrashed.
Oh yeah, but there are things you could do.
Really, like what? I don't know.
You could get a trim. Shape it up a little.
Don't look at me. Not that I'm an example.
You know how you can always tell the best hairdresser in the shop
is the one whose hair needs the most help.
You know because they're always busy working on everybody else.
Not that I'm the best hairdresser in the shop or anything,
Oh, I'm pretty good. I do say so myself.
Passengers for Alert! Get your kits ready.
We'll be boarding in five minutes.
I knew it was too good to be true.
It's just as well. You shouldn't be drinking that stuff anyway.
Trust me, I'm a dietician.
You start check. Complete. ATMs on. Move external power.
Check.
So she goes hey gods what do you want to go way up there for?
I said hey it's an adventure, right?
I mean, whoever has any real adventures any more? Real ones you know.
It's like she laughs of me. My best friend.
Come on, all we do is sit around boring beauty parlors and rinses some perms
and the only thing that ever happens to us that's really exciting is an eyelash die.
I mean I'm ready for some adventure.
It was very smarty of you to hire me Bob. I'll do a good job for you. I promise.
Right over there. Do you have a place that I can store this stuff?
No M'am. Why not? Regulations.
You have to keep your Arctic gear with you.
It's three clear. Lead on three. Turning three.
Number three generator? Check on.
I can't believe how noisy it is. You get used to it.
Okay, fasten your seatbelts.
Capri taxi check gumpa systems in gyro number one and two five seven number two
and to fund a radio radar altimeter nav
aids iff on standby Sir.
Roger Thule Tower.
Bob stop - - ready for takeoff. Roger box top due two. You are ready for take-off.
Not stop - - rolling.
That's so the four food groups are totally out now
totally out now for do that.
Best keep it on loose. We get some bumpy weather going north.
You are cleared right turn at 8,000 to intersect Foxtrot 1. Roger town.
Hey what are you reading Sue? About time travel.
I love it. The whole idea of it I mean.
It's like we went through a time warp and we all got transported back into the past
and we were never onboard the plane and we were never here
and I wouldn't even be yelling at you right now like this.
How is the new baby Joe? Good, she's sleeping most of the night now.
That's always a relief. You telling me.
Who she looked like? She looked a lot like her mom at first
but you know now, I think she's starting to look like me.
That's a shame Joe. Maybe she'll have a good personality.
All right, all right, you guys.
Lodi! Yes sir! Everybody in Arctic gear back there?
Yes, but they dont like it. Maybe you could turn down the heat a little?
What's so funny? Every time we fly together, you asked me to turn down the heat back there.
Every time we fly together it's too hot back here, Sir.
It sure was a good night for? Alert advises ceiling and visibility unlimited.
Temperature minus 22. Ground Wind zero
knots true and there is weather of the pole
but will be there and gone well ahead of it.
Box top 2-1 is airborne and will follow you into Alert.
Roger that.
Box top 2-1. This is Box top 2-2. Over.
This is Box top 2-1. How are you doing John? Over.
We might get into som bowling tonight in Thule. 2-2 against 2-1. Over.
Fine with us. As long as you guys don't mind loosing.
As long as you guys don't mind getting your butts kicked.
Sure it will be good to get out of this damned bear suit. Won't it?
Hey, Stewardess, are we supposed to get little packages of peanuts?
In your dreams Captain.
How much longer exactly? Half an hour give and take We are right on schedule.
What is the weather like? Pretty good, I think. We can land within twenty if we have to.
You have radar up here? Special for Box top flights. Something they call glowworm.
What is the temperature on the ground? Pretty cold. Minus 22 in the last report.
You'll get used to it.
Glowworm this is box top 2-2 requesting descent in approximately 15 minutes
Roger box top 2-2 you are identified.
92 miles west grid pots discretion.
You may descend to 4,000.
Okay I have control. You have control.
Yeah there she is Sir. Beautiful, no need to use glowworm. Terrace for visual joke.
That glowworm we have the airport in sight.
Cancelling IFR going visual.
Roger boxtop do - you are cleared for visual. Contact again on final approach.
Won't be long now. My feet are freezing. Here, trade places with me.
It might be a little warmer. That's allright. Okay I've made this trip before.
I can sit anywhere.
Put your feet up. More comfortable. Next time you will be like an old veteran.
Shining like a birthday cake. Commencing downwind leg. Level at 39.
Better tell glowworm. Glowworm we're level 39 and commencing downwind leg. Over.
I'm commencing descent out of 3900 feet.
Heading for 1500. They have to set check.
Yes sir. Okay Joe give me a 50 percent flap.
Flap two feet. Landing. Check no smoking seatbelt sign on.
On. Callie Cargill.
Callie cargo compartment up. Secure.
Seat belts and harnesses.
Fasten your seat belts. We are landing in Alert.
Finally. Really think it's going be that cold down there? Yeah I do.
Lost their light.
Boxtop 22. Can you respond over? This is glowworm on emergency frequency.
Boxtop 22 come in. This is glowworm. Are you receiving me? Over.
Please respond. Over.
Boxtop operations. Get me major Hansen. Probably hercules down.
I mean I don't know what happened. We hit the lights and sight was wrong.
We really went down. We gotta look for passengers.
There might be people out there who need help.
You think there are survivors?
But we got to find out. To find casualties.
I want everybody, any survivors in one place.
Mike Paul check along that side
Joe look this way.
Miss, you okay?
My God! They've crashed.
Hey! Anybody there?
I think I can lift this up, okay? Yeah if you can pull yourself out all right
entry one, two - great.
Are you okay? Didn't hear me?
What's your name? Tom. Tom, you're gonna be okay.
You hang in there. Probably gonna be okay.
If you walk yeah we can help each other head over towards the wing,
and everybody together over there, allright?
Over there Paul. Pretty badly hurt? That's the reason I think I'm okay.
He's alive. Could you tell me please. What time is it?
Yes, it's 4:15 p.m. precisely. What's your name?
Wilma. I'm a medical officer if you need any help.
Oh great. Look we're gonna need you real bad.
I don't know how many survivors there are.
No I understand, but I don't have my things.
I don't know my baggage.
Okay, that's okay. We will find it.
Where are we? Are we near Alert? Yeah, not far. We're about eight-ten miles out.
Oh, my God.
Can you walk? Yeah, I think so. Okay.
Take it easy. Now head over toward the wing. We're gathering everybody over there.
What about them? Well, the two of us won't be able to get him out of there.
Maybe we could move her though.
No, I think she has a severe spinal injury.
It wouldn't be safe. We'll figure out something for them.
You're sure you're okay? Yeah yeah, I'm fine.
We have to assume they're down. How far out were they, where we lost them?
Far. 10 miles maybe. We might be able to get to them over land.
Well, we can put a party together if all the medically qualified
personnel on base haven't stand by.
When a contact box top 21 get them to do a flyover. Confirm the crash site.
It's nothing. No puls.
Let it go Kim. What? Okay John, she's a doctor
that helped us hear his heart stopped.
It won't work unless we get him into a hospital right away.
So what are you saying captain, we don't want to try and save him at all?
CPR is not gonna help because injuries are severe enough to kill him.
There's nothing we can do.
But this is something I can do.
I know how you feel, but the people who can help, they need us.
There it is.
Alert. So close.
What happened? Are we dying? Are we all dying? Are you okay?
I'm here, how are you? I don't know I I hurt inside I think.
Oh I can move though. It's, Oh God!
Can you move? No.
I can't feel my legs. They are twisted underneath me.
I can't feel my legs.
What happened? We were just about to land did we just forgot to land?
What happened to all the other people?
We need warm clothes, sleeping bags, jackets. Anything we can find.
We got to warm these people up.
Where were the survival kits from the cockpit?
We lost everything in there, but we have auxilary here and emergency stuff: Food, water.
Well we scattered it all over, John.
Well, then we'd go find it Mike.
Have you seen any flashlights around?
All the flashlights we had were with our survival kits.
Thank You. Somewhere I will find it.
Now, listen. It's our responsibility to keep these people alive.
We have to do it. We have to.
John come on, you know we'll do whatever we can.
Wait, listen, that's a plane.
Must be box up 21.
I found Rollie.
Box top 21. Copy. They come here box top 21.
Box Top 21. Box Top 21, Do you see anything?
That is a fire Alert. Fires on the ground at 2:35 radial about 12 miles out.
It's like they're down.
What kind of train?
Looks like they slid a long way.
Scattered fires for half a mile or so.
Roger 21. We thank you.
Rescued and Rule. We've confirmed that box top 21 is down.
Search and rescue and initiate a carload immediately.
We're setting out a ground team from here.
Good luck!
Hold on Rolly. Hold on. Rolly listen, they know we're here.
Help is coming soon. Should we get the doctor?
Look, what we need is something warm here now. A sleeping bag.
Rolly? Rolly can you hear me?
Okay, I am so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
What is that? You hear that? I hear it.
We're not gonna die are we?
We can't. Somebody will come..
They'll find us. And it gets light. At dawn.
There is no dawn Sue. The Sun doesn't rise here till spring.
Sir, weather advises the polar storms picked up velocity.
The front will arrive here within two hours.
Okay, advise our system and the ground rescue operations are underway.
Yes Sir.
440 search and rescue squadron.
This is major Blair Edmonton RCCC. Initiate on Carlos search and rescue technicians immediately.
Hey, how's it going? Not bad. Moves down. Couch.
John Couch. Just flew with him last month. He was a pilot on that rescue up in Uranium City.
How is it looking? Not good.
In here.
Second-degree burns. Deep scalp lacerations. Some shock.
Hey, what's your name? Bill M'am. You will be okay now.
We got to keep him warm. This parka is not gonna do it.
Here, take this.
What about you? I'll get something else.
What the hell happened to all the survival gear?
I mean it couldn't just evaporate. It's got to be out there somewhere.
But give the worst stuff whereever it is. There is still people out there.
Two of them can't move by themselves.
I know. I saw them earlier. They may have back injuries.
They shouldn't be moved. We can't just leave him out in the snow Wilma.
They'll freeze to death.
If they're looked after out there, they have a chance.
See what we can do for them.
Captain, why hasn't somebody come yet? I mean it's only ten miles.
Shouldn't there be a search party by now? I mean how long could it take?
Not long. They'll be here.
I've worked for these search and rescue guys. They get where they're going.
You should put something warm on. Yeah I will. Don't worry.
Bob, how you doing?
Talk to me. You okay? Yes. Cold seems to help.
Hey somebody's coming. Hey over here! Over here! Hey!
God, my God, hwo are you?
Pilot and co-pilot. How bad are you hurt? Can you move? I don't know. I can't move.
I can't feel anything. Hurts everywhere though.
How about you? Not good
cold. Can't move my legs. A lot of pain. It's bad.
We can't move you. What do you mean?
With your injuries it'd be too dangerous.
You gotta stay here. No, no, you can't leave. I'm not gonna leave you.
We're gonna make a fire. Keep you as warm as we can.
You can't leave us here without anyone or anything.
We are gonna come back. I give you my word. Joe and I will keep coming back.
We are gonna keep the fire going and it won't be long. Search and rescues is on their way.
Thanks
Bob, you hear that? They'll be back. They won't forget us. Will they?
Hey Marvin. Hey Arnie. Where have you been? Off Cape Sable bailing out a fishing boat.
So we got a mayday? Yep.
You flying? You are right again. Can you tell me where it's at?
Tahiti? You wish. Alert. You're kidding me right?
Hey it's only 2,400 miles north so it's gonna be a little cold.
That's easy for you.
You don't have to get out of the plane.
Didn't I always tell you it's better to fly them than to jump out of it.
Yeah but nobody ever takes advice from their little brother.
Look. Lots of Flashlights but no more warm clothing.
But I did find my UHF transmitters.
Great and what good are they? Nobody out there to listen.
They got to be here soon. It's not that far.
Anybody want a cigarette? A cigarette? Yeah, I'd like a cigarette.
Don't worry doc. I don't think it's gonna be hazardous to my health.
What's the ground temp up there? Minus 22 Celsius.
That's the good news. There is a storm coming in over the pole.
We may not have the weather by the time we hit the drop zone.
Well, let's hope Alert Kitson is out. Otherwise it could be a long night.
Guess who is down? No, who? John Couch.
Well, so what are we waiting for?
We'll keep this going. How soon before the rescue party comes? How will they find us?
They'll find us. Don't worry.
We will be back. We won't leave you for long.
John. How long do you really think it's gonna take them to get here?
If they make it by land, not long.
Otherwise it takes 8 hours for a SAR bird to make it up here from Edmonton.
8 hours. Well that's not so bad.
We can last 8 hours. If the weather holds.
Box top 2-2 requires assistance. This is box top 2-2. Does anyone read me? Over.
Mayday! Mayday! Box top 2-2 require assistance.
This is box top 2-2. Does anyone read me? Over.
Claire, we've got survivors. All right, let's them know we're here.
We have seen a flare. Sir, repeat we've seen a flare.
There must be survivors. How soon can you get in there?
It doesn't look far. Get in quick. Weather report isn't too good. On our way.
BCSO leave anytime now.
Alert. This is ground rescue. We just hit Sheraton Gorge.
Thought we were far enough east to miss it.
Can you give me a weather update. Over.
The polar storm is about to reach the base.
What's the situation there? Over.
Not good. We are getting low on fuel and there's no way to get across here.
We'd have to go all the way to the coast to find a way around.
Could take hours. What's the forecast? Over.
Winds gusting up to 30 knots Zero visibility for the next 24 hours.
You'll never get to those people in that kind of weather. We have to turn back.
Sir, they're so close. No it's too risky.
We don't need any more people stranded out there.
This is Alert rescue. We are returning to base.
Mayday! Mayday! Box top 2-2 requires assistance.
This is Box top 2-2. Does anyone read me? Over.
Where are they? Where the hell are they? They're on their way Muriel. They saw a flare.
Why aren't they here by now?
It's the storm. Can't get through.
Come on you guys. This is depressing.
Let's sing a song or something.
Like in camp? Yeah you've got a campfire.
Rescue 3-4-2. This is Alert. Do you copy? Roger. Go ahead.
Report our ground rescue attempt is turned back.
What is your position? Over.
Well we've locked on another locator beacon. Will give you a report. Over.
Bob, can you hear me? Yes. Are you awake? Don't go to sleep Bob. No.
He said he was coming back. Bob You heard him.
Can't talk. We have to talk Bob. We have to stay awake.
Who is that? John and Joe.
I like to see you. What's up? What are you doing? This is a wind break. Good.
Survival candy. Don't chew it Just let it melt slowly.
You see the flares earlier? No, were there flares? A rescue party coming. Will they be here soon?
Yes, just hold on. I'll be right back.
Tell him, I don't blame him for crashing the plane. Who?
The pilot. Joe, tell him I know it was an accident and I don't blame him.
Son, what's the matter? You okay? Yeah, yeah, I'm okay.
I will tell him.
We're over the crash site.
Five seconds to target.
Flare is away. Attention!
Can't see much down there Fred. Can't even see the flare.
What's going on back there?
Come on Fred. Let's make another pass. We might get lucky.
We can't do another pass. It will break your neck.
We are low on fuel. We're gonna have to go to Alert.
Don't have one of these survival candies. Bill, I'm gonna warm these up in your
sleeping bag.
Watch out Bill. She's trying to take advantage of you.
Got first aid you give it to him doc.
Oh you guys. Sure doc the old
my hands are cold routine right?
Bitch is jealous aren't they Bill? Yeah.
We should move to the tail section. More shelter.
You figured we'll be better off there? Stay here, we'll freeze.
Rescues is not going to get to us.
How long do you think this could last?
Who knows, maybe days. We'll just have to wait it out.
Everybody! We're moving to the tail section. We will be better off there. Oh God.
Oh God! I don't want to move, please. No, it hurts so much to move.
I can feel the broken bones grinding together in my hip.
Mario, it's your best chance buddy. We will do it as easy as we can.
Call Colonel Wansing. Tell him that rescue 3-4-2 is headed to Alert to refuel.
Roger. Who we got left?
Rescue 3-0-5 is their best shot now.
They should be over the crash site soon.
Less they get a break in the weather.
Got a grip on it.
He's the last, captain. It's just Bobby's to go outside now. Good.
What Oh. Take your things here.
Open up the cargo bay doors.
We're gonna drop one. Do a minimum altitude descent. See if we can pick it
up, lower down. Let it go. Pull away.
Where are they? Where's the rescue? Should have been here by now.
Maybe they're not coming. Ofcourse they are coming Tony.
It's a damn storm. Stop.
You can't go outside. There's nowhere to go. Hey no one is gonna die.
I'm picking up something on the radio.
This is box top 2-2 on 2-8-2..
This is box top 2-2. Do you read me? Over.
Look! That's a flare! They're right over us. This is box top 2-2 on 2-8-2.
This is box top 2-2. Do you read me? Over.
Go! Tear away!
Can't see anything down there. That's we can do. We gotta wait for better weather.
Hang on people. Hang on.
Tonia, we take things for granted. What do you mean? Well I spent the last
week with my daughters while Carole was away.
It was just great. Now I don't even know
if I will see them again.
There's only five months. She won't understand.
But I can imagine what Diane is going through.
Well Carole too - she really hated it when I was fighting the Gulf War.
Every night on television she'd seen planes crashing.
Scott attacks. She was afraid I'd never come back.
Hey you made it home from there, so the rest of the crew.
We're gonna make it out of here - it's just a matter of time.
For us, but not for Rolly.
We'd better get back to the others. Get warm. I hate to leave him out here alone.
You go on. I'll be alone. A couple of minutes.
He's right. You should go back to the plane and get warm.
You don't like my company anymore?
I'm just scared somimes. Talking helps.
Don't you get scared? I'm too cold to be scared.
I heard you said you had family.
Yeah. Married. Two beautiful daughters.
Wonderful. I love being with them.
My sister has two little girls. They call me auntie Suzy.
I spoil them pretty bad.
Me too.
Did you tell the pilot what I said? He knows. That's good.
He must be a good man, I'm sure.
Rescue 3-0-5 reports refueling at Thule, Sir.
This weather is not gonna break in the next 24 hours.
We could get a window, but it might snap shut before we could jump.
People out there aren't gonna make another day.
What do you suggest?
The nod was operation fuel.
They're ready to roll.
I say we split the unit. Half stay with 3-4-2
and jump when they get the shot. The rest push by land.
What about Sheratonn Gorge? We'll go around it.
Follow the coast. If we do that, we could be with them in five or six hours.
3-4-2 ready. Standing by. Major?
Go Fred. All right gentlemen, let's do it.
And now dark.
14 hours and 10 minutes.
Everybody calls you doc. What's your real name?
Wilma. Velma? No, Vilma like filming Louise. Wilma.
At the Flintstones. Yeah right. I'm Rick. Okay Mick. Okay Velma.
How you doing Bill? Oh I'm okay.
I'm M- Mario. Oh like Super Mario? I don't feel very super right now,
well thank you. So it's Rick and Super Mario.
Who else?
Mark-, Tony-, I'm Dave.
Me. I'm Marty. I hear you Marty.
So this is the crew. And the two outside.
I think I have it straight now.
Hey, take us to the coast. How?
You don't know?
Well not in a whiteout.
What did you volunteer to drive for if you don't know the way?
Nobody knows the way.
How are we supposed to get to the crash site?
There's a radio tower east of here with flashing lights on top.
If we can get around the inlet and follow them to the coast.
I go for it. No one else got a better idea?
What will happen when they rescue us?
Sartex will fly over and drop some flares to light the crash site.
Then if they can see okay, they'll test the wind
and then they'll jump so they land near the wreck.
How will we know when they jump?
Doesn't matter.
They never jump in this wind. Don't wait for a break.
I have to be crazy. But don't worry. They'll jump when they can.
John, oh my God. You're frozen.
We have got to warm him.
Why the hell do we freeze? We can walk to the airport. Take a bus for Gods sake.
We have been here for three years already.
No Marty. He's delirious. He has a fractured skull.
Honey, stay where you are. You die out there.
Remember the first bunch that shot those flares?
It was hours ago.
What happened to them? Give up
Nobody could do a damn thing in this kind of storm
You're wrong.
I've flown rescue missions. I know. They are doing everything they can to get in here.
They're gonna make it.
Box top 2-2. This is Rescue 3-4-2. Yoy read me? Over.
Yes yes rescue 3-4-2. This is Box top 2-2. Over.
Rescue 3-4-2. This is Box top 2-2. Come in. Over.
They'll contact us later. Don't you think they will be on all the time?
The batteries only last for 24 hours.
24 hours. We would not be out here for 24 hours.
More flares. You know what that means? Yes. I think. If we see flares,
then they must know where we are, and if they know where we are,
and they found us, They are bound to be here soon.
I know you're in terrible pain Bob, but we have to keep talking.
We have to stay awake.
I used to work at a horse farm in the summers when I was in high school.
You like horses Bob? Don't know.
The horse farm was about ten miles from where I lived.
The owner had show horses. Arabians.
My girlfriend Lynn and I used to exercise them and feed them.
In one summer this horse had colic
and I stayed really late after 6:00
just to stay with him, You know.
I stayed in the barn
and then I heard these wolves.
Blackie the stallion he's like 17 hands high started dancing around,
and I said, oh what's wrong?
and Wynn said it's either wolves or dogs.
So we locked ourselves in the barn.
We just stayed there all night. We just stayed there.
Oh, fires getting low. Well I guess it wasn't just to keep warm by.
It's just kind of symbolic you know.
That's not stupid? No.
We got to keep talking about it. We saw this first for a reason.
They are out there and they're bound to come get us.
So we got to keep talking.
We got to stay alive. Just talk to me.
Talk to me about anything Bob. Okay tell me anything,
Anything about yourself. -Can't talk.
Laugh?
No
Phillip? -here. Dave? -here.
Muriel? -here. Monty? -here. Paul? -here. Mike? -here. Joe? -here. John?
John? -sure.
Mark? -here. Rick? -yeah. Tony? -yeah.
John please let me stay here and try to keep watch. Bob they are okay.
I just checked them. You are nearly frozen.
John don't. You've got to take care of yourself.
There are two people out there because of me.
Not just you. All of us. It was my plane.
Like Fred up there. Bingo, we can follow them to muscling point
cross the Gorge themselves. That's a good thing.
You got a sense of direction.
Me would be on the ocean by now.
They have heard of us back home by now. Yeah, that's not a sad thing.
I mean ofcourse they're gonna be worried if we are alive.
I mean, if I'm with my husband again.
Or my poor wife. Hope she doesn't think I'm dead.
My wife won't think that. She'll know.
She just knows. You see them people like that.
My husband is one. He knows.
You know when we get back. Before you can be heros.
You're keeping us alive.
Really not interested in being here, Oh man.
Right now all I want to do, is to get home.
This is Box top 2-2 Box top 2-2 Can anybody read me? Over.
Box top 2-2. This is Rescue 3-4-2. You are coming in, but you are breaking up pretty badly.
Nice to hear your voice and know you are alive. Over.
Oh man, 3-4-2. Good to hear yours. Can you pick me up any better now?. Over
Box top 2-2. Your signal is breaking up. If you read me, push your transmit button now.
Locked up. We can hear your transmit button.
If there's more than one survivor down there, press your button now.
If there are more than five, push it now. If there are more than ten push it now.
If there are more than 15 survivors, push it now.
Be quiet Monty.
There's 14. Don't push it. I understand that theree are less than fifteen survivors.
If there are less than 14 survivors, push it now.
Stay down Monty, you've gotta stay covered up. You can't go.
Okay Box top 2-2. I understand that there are 14 survivors.
Alert. This is rescue 3-4-2. Go ahead 3-4-2. We've made contact with Box top 2-2.
There are 14 survivors down there.
Say again before - how many survivors?
Thank you. I figured one maybe two.
With 14, it's unbelievable. Yeah, let's get them all out.
Holy that mushroom place.
That's a pressure rige. We are sitting on the ocean
The ocean! Get us the hell out.
The water turn left hard.
Brown rescue need some help down here doing up cops here I'll drop clear the
shoreline give you a light something
ahead for
Thank you.
Bob, you're not sleeping? are you Bob?
Sometimes don't what won't your wife shall we frame for you don't talk what
Yeah don't talk about your wife.
Why not? it's gotta hurt
We need it to hurt. Bob we have to
remember everybody who's waiting
and hoping they want us and they love us
they were deceased again. we have to stay
We have to stay alive for them. We gotta hang on here.
Yes, No. Oh huh how you doing okay.
Help is coming. I've heard on the radio He's got a radio.
Yeah it's a rescue coming
so don't lose hope. You better go back to the shelter.
hey what ya never abandon me
long as I live okay
Bob, did you see him? he keeps coming out here for us. We gotta try to stay awake Bob.
We owe it to him. We owe it to everybody...
...who's trying to help.
Joe, here is a ration. One for Bill and you.
Where is John?
I promise you. The rescuers come first thing.
It's been 20 hours. They've gotta be here soon.
Go! Blow it away.
Damn things go on like they're falling into wet cement.
We are out of fuel. Again. Flow it away Phil.
Bill, some rations. How are you doing Dave? I can't take it anymore.
Shoot me. I can't take it. Shoot me, somebody with a gun. I gotta shoot myself.
There we go.
Think of your little girls and your wife.
They wouldn't want me like this.
We're going to die anyway. Just kill me.
Somebody talk to him in French.
Come on man. For God's sake sing something we all know.
Slow down. Slow down.
Something, what's that?
Stop stop stop.
We will be over the edge!
You okay down there? Yeah we're okay. we're gonna make our way along the Gorge.
See if we can find a way out.
Follow on top got it.
I tried. I tried...hard.
Maybe, maybe something better huh?
No, You did everything you could.
So much for both of us. Not enough. We are not going to make it.
You said so yourself I'll never give up.
I tried hard. Did what I could. It's just too cold.
Too cold. Don't worry. They will come.
Today's Friday isn't it?
Yeah sure is. It's my birthday and 26 years old today.
Happy birthday Wilma. Maybe you'll get a star tech for a present.
Oh Normann, that would be nice. Happy birthday Wilma.
Bob, I want to keep talking, but it's hard now. So cold.
I know you are too.
Will you talk to me? Say something. Say anything.
Are you just gonna give up and die? Not giving up.
Because I need you to fight with me. I need you to help me stay alive.
I'm scared. Aren't you scared? No, not anymore.
no one's come for us in a long time.
Not even John comes anymore.
Maybe they left. Maybe they forgot about us.
Don't be stupid. They wouldn't leave us.
We're gonna die up here. It's okay to die.
Maybe it's just relief. I don't want to die!
Talk! Talk Never quit.
Stars.
Wow. I haven't noticed that before. All of the light.
pretty glowing ones.
If I died Bob, tell everyone back home that I love them.
Tell me what I want to hear. All the way to the deck.
Damn good thing I only got 40 minutes of fuel in the tank.
You know what I'm thinking?
good time to go for it get your Red Rider.
3-4-2. This is Brown Rescue. We need some light down here.
Where's the rim of the plateau? We gotta get up this thing can do Fred.
Yes thank you 3-4-2. We are on top and heading for the site.
Hulks? -here doc.
Joe? -here. John? John?
No pulse.
move on.
You are here Joe.
Look.
Tell me.
Look at songs.
Hello, what are you doing here?
It's so beautiful.
Sue, you alright?
I am okay pop. I am okay.
Approaching the drop zone.
You're trying to make your turn fire.
Looking good. I can still see into the cloud cover. Great job.
Take him out!
Hang on people! Hang on. Here we come.
Barb we're down no casualties the winds died down.
Quiet.
Okay guys spread out.
Hello!, hello!
Outside two more.
Till two unaccounted for gonna be up there somewhere all right.
Can you hear me, Miss? Yes.
Gonna be alright now we're gonna take care of you.
You're gonna be alright. Is this,- is this a real?
Yes.
I am going to live.
Hey Bill.
Let's start with me doc. I always start with your Bill. How you doing Bill?
I'm doing okay.
Dave? -yeah. Mario? -yeah. Monty? -here.
Mark? -here. Rick? -here. Tony? -here. Hey Bob, welcome to the group.
Thanks here. hey hairdresser? -here. Paul? -here.
Mike? -yeah. And Joe? -here.
The tenements made it.
Of the 18 souls who left Thule aboard Box top 2-2, 13 survived
-after enduring a 32 hour ordeal in the High Arctic.
Today, on a bed of snow and ice near Alert,
the tail section has been left standing as a
memorial to those who risked their lives
in the rescue and to honor the five
brave souls who died in the service of
their country.