It was a busy start to the new year for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) as they responded to three separate incidents.
Around 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, COSAR was called out by the West Kelowna Fire Department (WKFD) and emergency services to help with a person who collapsed while hiking on Goats Peak Trail. Using UTVs and ground crews, COSAR and WKFD found the person and attempted to save them, however, the person later died at the scene.
As COSAR was demobilizing from the site, they received a call from Kelowna RCMP to help with a despondent person. As they were on the way to the scene, the RCMP called them to let them know they safely found the person.
A few hours later as the sun went down, COSAR was called back out to West Kelowna to assist with finding a lost hiker who called 911. The hiker was on McDougall Rim Trail, ran out of daylight, and became lost. COSAR deployed E-bike and ATV teams, with the ATV team quickly finding the hiker and brought them back to the trailhead.
“The person did the smart thing and called for help when they got into trouble,” said COSAR’s search manager Duane Tresnich. “Hikers should remember to check the time when they start a hike to ensure they have enough daylight to return. And most importantly, when you call for help, don’t move.”
COSAR is off to a busy start to the year after 2023 was their third busiest year in their 70-year history as they received 74 call outs.
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