Okanagan grader operator missing in Chute Lake Road area located

A maintenance worker needed to be airlifted to the hospital after going missing in the Chute Lake Road area, on the east side of Okanagan Lake between Kelowna and Penticton.

The worker had not been heard from since 10 p.m. Nov. 8, according to a press release from the Penticton Search and Rescue. Rescuers were deployed at 7:20 a.m. the next morning.

The team initially included 12 volunteers which made up two ground units before air operations joined to assist.

The road grader operated by the worker was located and the rescue team centred their search around that area.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Nov. 9, approximately one kilometre from the grader, police found tracks leading off the road. The worker was found 80 feet down an embankment, and was suffering from severe exposure after being outside for over 10 hours.

SAR members began performing emergency medical aid. Due to the serious condition of the worker and the steep terrain where they were located, air support was requested. 

The air evacuation team attended the scene and conducted a long line evacuation. The worker was transferred to B.C. Ambulance before getting transported to the Penticton General Hospital. Their condition is unknown.

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