The MHA for Torngat Mountains is offering her gratitude to ground search and rescue teams on the north coast of Labrador following a recent tragedy in Hopedale.

Two snowmobilers died after leaving Hopedale Friday on a fishing trip. The men, ages 41 and 47, were traveling together on snowmobile. Hopedale Ground Search and Rescue were called on as concern for their whereabouts grew.

Their machine was found submerged in the water and their bodies were recovered a short time later.

Lela Evans thanked ground search and rescue teams for the work they do.

“When community members go missing it is our darkest hour. We pray for good news which will bring the light back into our communities. GSAR service is not easy, even when the search ends with a successful rescue. The emotional burden weighs heavily on our volunteers and lingers long after. We rely on our team members to take the call day or night to go out on land, or on sea, to help to rescue or to recover.”