Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island

Port Alberni, B.C., is shown. (Getty Images)

Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device.

The Port Alberni RCMP announced the discovery in a statement Wednesday, saying officers received a report of a distress call from a Globalstar SOS device shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The signal was traced to an area near Franklin River Road, south of Port Alberni, where officers and volunteers with the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad conducted a search.

Searchers located a campsite that included a small structure and recently felled tress, according to the statement. A vehicle belonging to the man, whose last known residence was in Nelson, B.C., was also found.

The man's body was located a short distance from the campsite at approximately 8 a.m., police said.

"Due to location and terrain, the male had to be airlifted by helicopter," according to the statement, which noted officers and officials with the B.C. Coroners Service conducted an "initial examination" of the man at the scene.

Police said there are no indications of foul play involved in the man's death, which is not considered suspicious at this time.

The man's next of kin have been notified, police said.