Sikh hikers used turbans as rope to rescue men trapped beneath waterfall [Video]

• A group of five Sikh men were hiking in a Canadian park when they were told that two men fell into a waterfall pool and could not get out.
• There was no phone service to call for emergency services.
• The group tied their turbans together and used as lifeline to rescue the trapped men.

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A group of five Sikh men was hiking in Golden Ears Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada two weeks ago when another group told them two men fell into a pool above the lower falls. Unfortunately, the men could not pull themselves back to safety.

Kuljinder Kinda said he and his four friends tried to call emergency services, but they didn’t have cellphone service. Wanting to help, they came up with the idea to tie their turbans together and use them like a rope.

A turban is a type of headwear worn by Sikhs. It is usually made of cotton and has a religious significance.

“We were trying to think how we could get them out, but we didn’t know how to,” Kuljinder told NBC Asian America. “So we walked for about 10 minutes to find help and then came up with the idea to tie our turbans together.”

Kuljinder, who is originally from Punjab, India, and his friends removed their turbans and other articles of clothing to tie the fabric together and create a 10-meter (about 33 feet) makeshift rope. They threw it down to the trapped men and instructed them to tighten it before pulling themselves up.

“In Sikhi, we are taught to help someone in any way we can with anything we have, even our turban,” Kuljinder said.

He added that they “just really cared about the safety of the men” during that time and not theirs.

The two men were saved and thanked Kuljinder and his friends.

The British Columbia Ministry of Environment said there are warnings along the trails. “Signs on the access trails warn hikers about trail and waterfall hazards and to not proceed past the end of the established trails,” a spokesperson said.

Robert Laing, search and rescue manager at Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, was informed of the incident but the hikers had already been rescued when he arrived at the scene.

“We spoke briefly with them but only to make sure they were fine and did not require medical aid,” he said. “They did say they did not see the warning signs regarding the hazards of approaching the falls.”

Kuljinder and friends have been praised for their heroism. The Sikh Community of British Columbia shared the video on Twitter and said, “Kudos to these young men for their quick thinking and selflessness.”

Source: NBC News