BENSON LAKE, B.C. -- An 84-year-old man living on Vancouver Island was pulled from a well shaft Wednesday after spending four days trapped in the dark hallow.
The RCMP say in a news release they found Bob Bennett, alive and unharmed, in a dry well on his sprawling property in the remote community of Benson Lake.
He apparently became trapped in the shaft -- about 7 feet deep and less than 3 feet wide -- while searching for water.
On Tuesday night, a longtime friend from the area told police he hadn't seen his friend in days.
The friend checked Bennett's house and found his dog home alone and other personal items that suggested Bennett hadn't gone anywhere expecting to stay away for long.
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The RCMP from nearby Port Alice canvassed the area and launched a search Wednesday morning.
A police dog named "Nick" led searchers to the well, and they pulled Bennett out Wednesday afternoon.
He was taken to hospital for an assessment, but the RCMP say he didn't appear hurt.
"Mr. Benson, at 84 years old, has shown us that age means nothing when you have the will to survive," RCMP Cpl. Michelle LeBrun said in a news release.
"He has left us with one of those stories that only come around once or twice in your career."
