A snowmobiler reported as overdue and missing on Monday evening was found safe and sound on Tuesday morning.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) and Kelowna RCMP began searching for the teenage boy shortly after he became separated from his group in the Graystokes area, east of Kelowna.
The search started Monday at approximately 6 p.m., with police saying searching crews looked throughout the night.
Police issued at press release at 9:30 a.m., on Tuesday, saying the 14-year-old had been found after spending the night outdoors and alone.
“Kelowna RCMP would like to extend their thanks to the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy. “RCMP would also like to thank the media and all those all over the Central Okanagan who remained extra vigilant in hopes of spotting the missing snowmobiler.”
Police say they were notified of the missing teen when they were notified that three snowmobilers — a father and his two teenaged sons — were overdue from their trip.
Police added that shortly after they were notified, the father and one son returned to their vehicle and advised they had become separated from the teen.
COSAR was immediately contacted, with search crews quickly assembling.
COSAR said 12 members plus a half-dozen Kelowna Snowmobile Club (KSC) members volunteered to show up and comb the trails on Monday.
For Tuesday, eight more KSC members and seven COSAR members joined the search, along with four from Vernon Search and Rescue.
COSAR said because of the boy’s age, a Canadian Air Force Cormorant helicopter and a Buffalo STOL from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox were dispatched at first light. The Buffalo made it to the search area before the boy was found.
A snowmobile team from Vernon Search and Rescue riding in from the Lumby side spotted him around 10 a.m.
He was evacuated by Wildcat Helicopters to waiting B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics. He has since been released.
In total 30 searchers took part in the rescue.
“Although he could’ve been better equipped,” said search manager Duane Tresnich, “he had enough cold-weather gear to last the night.”