In the past week, the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team was busy with six different tasks.
On Monday, COSAR rescued an injured dirtbiker near James Lake after they had crashed on a trail about 500 metres from the road.
The injured biker made his way to the James Lake Forest Service Road where he was met by an ambulance.
Earlier in the morning on May 23, COSAR sent 11 members to help Penticton Search and Rescue look for a lost hiker near Idleback Lake. The hiker was located successfully by 10:30 am.
On Sunday, volunteers were tasked with finding a missing hiker in Scenic Canyon Regional Park. The person was located safely with the help of RCMP officers.
On Thursday, May 19, the COSAR team was tasked with rescuing an injured ATV driver. The person was located near the Dog House snowmobile cabin.
Because of the severity of his injuries and a lack of helicopters, the PENSAR medical team used a helicopter to evacuate the injured driver.
He was taken to an ambulance and transferred to the hospital to care for his injuries.
On May 18, COSAR helped RCMP locate an 83-year-old woman with dementia who was last seen near downtown Kelowna.
The day before, on Tuesday, May 17, COSAR rescued an injured hiker near the Chute Lake Resort.
COSAR search manager Duane Tresnich is concerned about the increase in tasks, but is grateful most have had successful outcomes.
“For the most part people are prepared. Accidents happen and because people are filing trip plans, bringing the right gear and not going out alone, we have had successful outcomes,” said Tresnich
COSAR has responded to 31 tasks in 2022, well below last year’s record of 106.
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