Stuck snowmobilers rescued found quickly

KELOWNA – A good cell phone signal and a GPS unit meant a quick rescue for a couple snowmobilers in the Central Okanagan Friday night.

The two men, 54 and 68, were doubling on a sled when they got stuck in very deep powder in the hills in Alex Lake area east of Lake Country.

They couldn’t dig themselves out so they called for help.

One of the men walked to the top of a hill, managed to get a cell signal and called 911.

He also had a GPS unit and was able to give the RCMP an exact location.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers on snowmobiles found the men wet and cold, but otherwise in good health.

Duane Tresnich with Search and Rescue reminds people going into the backcountry to take enough with them so they can survive for 24 hours.

“Make sure you have the material to start a fire, food, a knife and communications if possible,” Tresnich said.

“Also inform your family where you are going and when you are expected back. You don’t have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing in Canada.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331.

%%embed1%%