Search and rescue crews have busy Sunday in Okanagan

PENTICTON – Members of Penticton Search and Rescue were busy Sunday afternoon after being called to three emergencies in the area.

Two helicopter evacuations were needed, with the first call coming in around noon Sunday, Dec. 16, with a call for assistance coming from Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, according to a Penticton Search and Rescue media release.

A snowmobiler injured in the Greystokes Park area needed evacuation by helicopter, and as the Penticton crew were packaging the victim another call came in, requiring evacuation of another injured snowmobiler in an area just north of the first call.

The first victim was transferred to an ambulance, and the Penticton Helicopter External Transport System team flew to the Mission Lake area where they located a snowmobiling group with the second injured party, the release states.

That person was evacuated by helicopter directly to Kelowna International Airport to waiting ambulance personnel.

While these events were taking place, Penticton Search and Rescue were then called to assist in the rescue of a man who had fallen into a building foundation in the Carmi area, at around 3:30 p.m.

Three trucks and 11 personnel responded to the call.

Helicopter track of Penticton Search and Rescue as the unit was called to three rescues in the area on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2018. | Credit: SUBMITTED


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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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