Survivor of fatal ATV crash near Enderby climbed steep embankment to get help

The survivor of a fatal ATV accident near Enderby on Saturday night had to climb up a steep embankment and get to a nearby residence in order to call for help.

He was later taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident started at about 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, when the two men left the Cooke Creek Campground for what RCMP say was meant to be a quick ride together on an ATV.

“The pair were travelling up the Cooke Creek Forest Service Road and, near the four kilometre km mark, went off the road and rolled down a steep embankment, ejecting both men, neither of whom were wearing helmets,” the RCMP release, issued today, April 19, states.

“One of the men was able to climb to safety and call for help from a nearby residence.”

A 27-year-old Vernon man was found dead at the scene by emergency response crews.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and those impacted by this tragedy,” Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media relations officer Const. Chris Terleski, said in the release.

“The investigation is ongoing and, while causal factors have yet to be determined, alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision.”

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