Death and Deliverance: The Haunting True Story of the Hercules Crash at the North Pole

by Robert Mason Lee

The urgent alarm was raised at military rescue centres across North America on 30th October 1991. A Canadian CC-130 Hercules military transport aircraft carrying people had crashed into the most isolated habitat in the world, the last ice-blasted spit of land before the Pole, 450 nautical miles to the north. As a fierce Arctic blizzard set in, pushing the temperature to near -70c, survivors and rescuers alike found themselves in a life-and-death battle against the elements. This book explores both the massive logistics of the most northerly air rescue ever mounted and the subtle stirrings of the human heart.

Genres: Nonfiction, Survival, History

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Hasan]

An incredible read - having taken part in Search and Rescue as a civilian, I was floored by the amazing spirit of the survivors, the rescuers, and everyone else involved in one of the most dangerous humanitarian missions in recent history.


"There were hands on her, soft fabric being tucked around her chin. She felt she was being cared for, and nothing else mattered. Of all the balm to follow - the warmth, the morphine, the hot water, the Magic Pantry dinner or the Hershey chocolate bars - none was worth as much as that first human touch.

SARtechs are well aware of the importance of this touch and are as gentle in their way as lovers. They know the profound release that follows on rescue, and describe it as rescue shock; many souls have been lost at this point. Like all matters of desolation and love, rescue is a delicate business."


Rating: Worth reading (for myself, worth rereading)

[Jenny Karraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about a crash during the winter months at the North Pole when absolutely everything is dark. There is a lot of technical information about flying a plane that I didn't quite understand, but it certainly added to the direness of the situation and whether a rescue would actually happen. A real page turner. I have a friend in the armed services who flies both helicopters and airplanes, and I'd love to pass the book onto him. I think he'd understand much more about the technical details and appreciate this story.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They had no territory, no status, no meaning; their lives were nothing more than the fog of their own breath in the freezing night. They could do nothing but wait for death or deliverance. But they all had names [and] Captain Richard Dumoulin, with the smashed cheek and dislocated eye, was the first to invoke her name.”

[Chris Tschirhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that this is a true story and the outcome is known the book is a masterpiece and makes you chew through each page. It is written in a manner that you have to know what is happening next!

[Doug Dams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the crash of a Canadian CC-130 Hercules military transport near the remote listening point near the North Pole. Temperatures reached about -70 degrees celsius and blizzard conditions made for a very severe environment. It's the story of those rescued as well those trying to rescue them in the worst artic conditions. I read this book because I worked with one of the survivors. He had a picture of the crash at his desk and one day I asked him about it and he told me the story. His version wasn't as harrowing as this book and I believe he was being modest about the whole incident. I found the book interesting because I knew one of the survivors and also because I learned a lot about artic survival training and what are considered routine jobs by the military can also put your life at risk. The story of the various rescue attempts provides for a dynamic story that keeps you reading.

[Nathan Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it starts off slow, and there were a few moments of confusion regarding chronology for me, I must say this book is an extremely powerful read. Robert Mason Lee is able to capture some absolutely incredible details of this story, at points you feel like you're right with the survivors, braving the freezing colds and slowly approaching the doors of death. A very special read and one that clearly had a lot of thought and time go into it. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in survival tales.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember very well when this happened. It hit close to home, my Dad was RCAF, stationed in Trenton. Very well written, lots of details that are not usually shared.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about my uncle!! my uncle Bob was in this crash and he became paralyzed from the waist down. it also mentions my aunt Elaine, who is my dads sister. it’s super cool

[Jasmine H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written account of the crash of Boxtop flight 22. It's a miracle anyone made it out alive to tell the story.

[Kivrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, a harrowing read as the injuries and ordeal endured by the crash survivors are pretty horrible and described in detail, but their strength and determination are also inspiring. The rescuers are courageous and crazy in equal measure.

The writing is not so great. There's a lot of technical descriptions of the equipment (planes, helicopters, etc.) used in the rescue. Some people will love that, but it got a little old for me. I'm not sure how long after the crash this was written, but I wanted a lot more detail about the survivors and how the crash affected their lives after they were rescued. Too little detail given.

[Kyle Rachey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best Aviation/SAR stories ever to unfold.

[Hamish Yardley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to be a SAR so badly

[Steven Siroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book which goes through the lead up and backgrounds of many of the people involved or affected by the crash. One of the interesting things was capturing minute by minute thoughts from people dealing with tragedy and failing hope. But also a story of Canadian determination and rising to the occasion of a serious accident in the most remote location imaginable.

Two quotes:
“Were you the guys that jumped in there?
“We are.”
“You must be friggin’ crazy!”
“No. We’re Canadian.”

And:
“You sweat, you die.”

I actually read this book years ago and re-read it recently. That second quote stuck with me even years later.

[Jim Puskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing real-life adventure, written by a very fine journalist. A story of survival in the face of extreme adversity, an air crash at the top of the world, including the phenomenal efforts of the rescue teams. Intensely personal experiences of a group of quite ordinary people caught up in a situation they couldn't possibly have been prepared for. Enriched by the author's portrayal of that very peculiar breed of men who become "SarTechs" Search and Rescue Technicians.
In some ways, the book calls to mind the works of Nevil Shute -- but in this case the story is entirely true.
So gripping that I read the entire book in one sitting!

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Hercules transports did a circle pass over my house in honour of Captain John Couch. It was a sad and gripping story to read. I have spent many months in the Canadian arctic, not that far north mind you, and know the challenges of the landscape.

However, the shambles that have been made of our military and the SARS system by our short-sighted politicians was revealed by implication. Several of the survivors died because they could not be rescued, even thought they were within sight of the Alert station.

[Daledonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting account of a Hercules crash in the north. This is where I learned all about the SAR-Techs (Search and Rescue technicians) and how sad our military fleet was. They had to piece together a rescue helicopter from part of another one that was in for repairs. I think they're still flying the same ones today and when I read the book in 1992, it seemed like they were history then. Very interesting human story as well as good background on the SAR-Techs.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that struck home with me as my older brother was in the plane crash and survived. Heroism by those in the crash and the search and rescue technicians who braved arctic, whiteout conditions to parachute in to the crash site. Also a tv movie with Richard Chamberlain

[Jason Slemons · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dramatic but great timing; before relaible GPS but in the modern era(1980s i think). These folks were legitimately at deaths door, and were quite lucky. Im tempted to see the made for tv movie even. But im sure the book is better. Characters dont stand out though...maybe too many of them.

[Chad Manske · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the crash and subsequent rescue 32 hours later of Boxtop 22 near Canadian Forces Station Alert in the Arctic Circle. Exceptional story of how the survivors were rescued in the harshest climate on Earth!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

[Anne]

I enjoyed the book immensely even though the author was wrong with some of his geography ie wrong provinces.

[Brian Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sad but well told story about mistakes, determination and bravery.