This past weekend was a busy one for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) volunteers.
The team was called for two different rescues within minutes of each other on Sunday.
One call involved an injured snowmobiler on Moore Mountain in Greystokes Park. A helicopter medical team was sent in to extract the sledder.
Minutes later, COSAR was called to assist BCEHS in retrieving an injured ATV rider in the Postil Lake area. As 10 members were responding, BCEHS stood them down after managing to get the injured person out on their own.
COSAR also responded to a few calls involving stranded motorists, prompting them to remind the public about travelling on Forest Service Roads this time of year.
On Monday night, the team was called by West Kelowna RCMP to assist a stranded motorist who had taken a rented Escalade and become stuck on the Esperon Forest Service Road near Bear Lake. A tow truck was able to assist the driver before they arrived.
Then, early Tuesday morning, COSAR was called again by RCMP to help another motorist who had gotten stuck on Oyama Lake Forest Service Road. Eight COSAR members responded and the driver was brought out.
“Search Manager Mike Day would like to remind drivers again that, even though the weather and roads are clear on the valley bottom, most of the Forest Service roads in the higher elevations still have enough snow on them to make travel difficult,” says COSAR.
“Please make sure you are prepared in case you run into problems.”
If you do need help, COSAR urges you to call 911—rescues are free.
