KELOWNA– Search and rescue teams from the Okanagan were called to a popular snowmobile area to deal near Kelowna on Sunday.
An injured snowmobiler was stuck in Graystokes Provincial Park.
It’s the second serious sledding incident in the Southern Interior in the past three days. On Friday, a 49 year old man died when he mistakenly drove off a 12 metre cliff east of Sicamous.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue member Duane Tresnich says the number of snowmobile related calls varies in any given year.
“Usually it’s an injury. Someone has gone off a cliff or hit a boulder, something under the snow,” he says.
In this case two snowmobiles collided, and one rider suffered multiple fractures to his leg.
The BC air rescue wildcat helicopter was able to get him off the mountain and to Kelowna General Hospital.
Dave Leimert, president of the Kelowna snowmobile club, says sledders have to be prepared for trouble. He has the following advice for anyone planning on heading to the backcountry:
- Have a plan and let someone at home know what it is.
- Don’t go out alone
- Take along survival equipment, water, and food.
- Carry a satellite communications devise
- Carry a fire starter
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