BC Air Rescue helicopter rescues injured snowmobiler

A BC Air Rescue helicopter was dispatched from West Kelowna Sunday morning to rescue an injured snowmobiler in the Blue River area, north of Kamloops.

Ian Wilson with BC Air Rescue said a snowmobiler was reported injured around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Alan Hobler with Kamloops SAR says the snowmobiler was injured after going off a cliff.

The injured man was with two other snowmobilers, but with the sun fully set the group couldn’t get out of the backcountry.

Search and Rescue members from Kamloops joined members from Wells Gray Search and Rescue on Sunday morning.

A RCMP helicopter also attended the scene on Sunday morning, but couldn’t land.

The BC Air Rescue helicopter and winch team was dispatched around 10:20 a.m.

By 1:10 p.m., all of the parties were retrieved.

One was rescued by a high angle rope rescue team, one was brought out by snowmobile, while members of the Vernon Search and Rescue winch team recovered  the injured man and flew him out by helicopter.

The snowmobiler who was suffering from leg injuries was delivered to a waiting B.C. ambulance out of Kamloops.

Avalanche risk was moderate at the time of the incident.

Cpl. Mark Labossiere with Clearwater RCMP issued a thank you to all involved in the rescue.

 “This was an amazing rescue ( work ) by all parties involved. The local and out of town Search and Rescue teams are such a valuable resource to have. They do not get the proper recognition that they deserve all the time.  We are extremely lucky we have such a dedicated group of individuals that are actively involved in search and rescue teams within our province.  Too many times people go into the back woods unprepared and, as a result, all of these volunteers give their time to rescue these individuals. I cannot say enough about the dedicated group of people.   Good job by everyone and I hope that the following organizations and groups get the proper recognition that they deserve.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter:  "This was an amazing rescue ( work ) by all parties involved. The local and out of town Search and Rescue teams are such a valuable resource to have. They do not get the proper recognition that they deserve all the time.  We are extremely lucky we have such a dedicated group of individuals that are actively involved in search and rescue teams within our province.  Too many times people go into the back woods unprepared and, as a result, all of these volunteers give their time to rescue these individuals. I cannot say enough about the dedicated group of people.   Good job by everyone and I hope that the following organizations and groups get the proper recognition that they deserve."

Wells Gray SAR

Kamloops SAR

Vernon SAR

Yellowhead Helicopters – Clearwater Base

BC Air Rescue

Blue River Sledz – The 2 individuals from this group were instrumental in our success.