Washout strands campers near Browne Lake

KELOWNA – Campers trapped by a washout on a forestry road near Browne Lake Thursday were prepared to camp for a longer period, but the incident has search and rescue team members reminding people to be prepared in the back country.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members were sent to rescue five people trapped east of Kelowna at a Browne Lake camping site after the campers called RCMP when a culvert in the road became blocked and water washed away the soil around it making the road impassible.

The rescuers sent 11 members, two trucks, four ATVs and a motorcycle attended and once they made contact with the campers it was confirmed they had enough food and water to stay several more days. The owners of the road were then contacted and they quickly arranged for repair to take place Friday. The road will likely not reopen until late afternoon or Saturday.

Rescuers remind the public these situations can happen in the back country and say hese campers did the right thing by calling RCMP and being prepared.

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