Snowmobiler rescued after hitting tree near Kelowna

Rescue crews had to battle darkness and deep snow to reach a man who had crashed into a tree in the Greystokes area east of Kelowna last night, Jan. 7.

The man had been riding by himself but joined up with some other snowmobilers before he crashed into a tree so hard that his helmet was cracked.

They were able to move him about 800 metres to the Kelowna Snowmobile Club’s Hilton Hut after calling for help.

Weather conditions were not suitable for a helicopter rescue so three members of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue rode snowmobiles in from Forest Service Road 201 near the Big White access road.

Two others rode a tracked UTV (utility task vehicle) into the cabin. Progress was hampered by the deep snow so some of the snowmobilers who were with the injured man used their machines to pack down the track after being contacted by radio.

At about 10 p.m. the UTV took the injured man to a waiting ambulance.

A news release from the rescue group did not describe the injured man’s condition.

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