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.

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