Medical incident behind helicopter activity at Okanagan prison

B.C. Corrections isn’t saying much about an incident at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver that required a helicopter to evacuate an inmate in need of outside medical attention last night.

The incident attracted social media attention last night, Jan. 12, as Facebook commenters noticed two helicopters landing at the jail within 20 minutes of each other.

One commenter also noted the road in front of the correctional centre was blocked by sheriff’s vehicles during the helicopter activity.

Minister of Public Safety and Public Engagement communications officer Marielle Tounsi said in an email a medical incident involving one of the prison’s inmates who required outside medical attention. She did not say how many helicopters were involved.

Tounsi said the ministry could not reveal further details due to privacy reasons and security laws.

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