Six rescues in seven days made for a busy week for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue crews.
According to COSAR search manager Duane Tresnich the rise in numbers is a concerning trend, though it’s not all bad news.
“For the most part people are prepared,” he said. “Accidents happen and because people are filing trip plans, bringing the right gear and not going out alone, we have had successful outcomes.”
The most recent rescue was on Tuesday, when COSAR was called in to help with rescuing an injured dirt biker near James Lake.
“The subject had crashed on a trail 500 metres from the road but managed to make his way to the James Lake FSR where he was met by BC Ambulance Service paramedics,” COSAR said in a press release.
Earlier that morning, COSAR sent 11 members to Penticton to help their search and rescue crews in a mutual aid search for a lost hiker near Idleback Lake. In that case, the hiker was successfully found by 10:30 a.m.
Then, on Sunday, COSAR was tasked with finding a missing hiker in Scenic Canyon Regional Park. After a short search he was also located by RCMP.
Days earlier, on May 19, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue was tasked with rescuing an injured ATVer near the Dog House snowmobile cabin.
“Because of the severity of his injuries and because no helicopters were available in Kelowna, a PenSAR medical team used a helicopter to evacuate him to a waiting ambulance,” COSAR said in a press release.
On May 18, COSAR was tasked with finding an 83-year-old with dementia last seen near downtown Kelowna. She was located with help from Kelowna RCMP as COSAR was responding,
Before that, on May 17, COSAR rescued an injured hiker near Chute Lake Resort.
COSAR have responded to 31 tasks in 2022, well below 2021’s record of 106.
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