Search teams find woman lost overnight on Okanagan Mountain

PENTICTON – A hiker reported missing yesterday evening has been located.

Penticton RCMP spokeperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says the 22 year old woman was reported missing from a group hike north of Naramata in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park   Wednesday evening, July 13.

An extensive effort by Search and Rescue teams and an RCMP helicopter were successful in finding the woman after the group accessed a challenging trail in the park yesterday. The woman became outpaced by the group and when she didn’t make it to the top of the trail it was assumed she had returned to her vehicle six kilometres away.

When the group returned to their vehicles without finding the woman, police were called.

Fourteen search and rescue members from Princeton, Oliver/Osoyoos, Keremeos and Penticton began ground searches early this morning, with air support supplied by Eclipse and HNZ Helicopters.

An RCMP helicopter from Kelowna also joined the search and along with two search and rescue team members on board, were able to locate the woman.

The woman, who was lightly dressed and without water, made a temporary shelter for the night and began hiking to Okanagan Lake this morning. She was able to signal the RCMP helicopter by tying clothing to a tree branch.

The woman was taken to Penticton Regional Hospital and assessed, suffering no injuries and requiring no further medical attention. She was given a ride to an orchard near Munson Mountain where she is employed as a seasonal worker.

The RCMP extends thanks to all the service personnel who came to the aid of the woman.

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