Penticton Search and Rescue evacuate injured hiker at the bluffs

PENTICTON – Penticton Search and Rescue responded to a call for help at Skaha Bluffs earlier today, June 7.

Fifteen search and rescue volunteers responded to a call from B.C. Ambulance Service just after 2:15 p.m. Sunday to assist with an injured climber. The man, who was reportedly seriously injured, was in the an area known as 'Foreplay Wall.' 

Two team members already climbing in the area were alerted to the incident as the Helicopter Evacuation Team was preparing to head out. The climbers made their way to the scene where they met up with the evacuation crew, who had already long-lined to the injured man.

The man, believed to be in his 30s and a non-resident, was provided with first aid and evacuated to the airport before being transferred to Penticton Regional Hospital.

This is the fourth time Penticton Search and Rescue has responded to the bluffs and is the 18th task for the volunteer group so far this year.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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