The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) and the RCMP were called in to find and rescue a couple visiting from Langley.
On Saturday afternoon, the couple went on a hike in the James Lake area, around 10 kilometres east of Kelowna International Airport.
“They exited their vehicle and decided to take a short walk down a trail,” COSAR staff said in a release.
“On the way back to the truck they took the wrong path back.”
The couple quickly realized they made a mistake and were lost.
They called the RCMP for help.
“The RCMP then contacted COSAR and we responded with 15 members with ATVs and a UTV,” said COSAR staff.
“The RCMP helicopter was also dispatched.”
The helicopter located the couple through cell tower pings.
COSAR says the couple did the right thing by calling for help and staying in one place.
Overall the search group says it has been a busier than usual start to the summer as people come out of novel coronavirus related self-isolation.
“A lot of people, because of COVID-19 are starting to get out and get back active,” search manager Duane Tresnich said.
“They think they can do what they did at the end of last year so we are seeing a lot more slight injuries.”
Saturday’s rescue is a cautionary tale for others, especially visitors, that the Okanagan backcountry is a dense, remote area.
– with files from Megan Turcato
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