UPDATE: Teenage snowmobiler spends cold night out in the wild

UPDATE 4 p.m.

Vernon Search and Rescue members were the first to spot a young snowmobiler who got separated from his family in the Graystokes area east of Kelowna Monday.

The 14-year-old Kelowna boy spent a cold night out in the wilderness, but was found Tuesday morning after an extensive ground and air search involving 30 people and support from Canadian Air Force resources.

“Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) sent 12 members plus a half dozen Kelowna Snowmobile Club volunteers showed up to comb the trails. This morning they were joined by eight more KSC members and seven COSAR members. Four Vernon SAR members were also en route,” said club member Ed Henczel.

Because of the boy’s age, a Canadian Air Force Cormorant helicopter and a Buffalo STOL from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox were dispatched at first light.

“The Buffalo just made it to the search area before the boy was found. A snowmobile team from Vernon Search and Rescue riding in from the Lumby side spotted him around 10 a.m.,” added Henczel.

The teen was evacuated by Wildcat Helicopters to waiting BC Ambulance Service paramedics. He has since been released.

“Although he could’ve been better equipped, he had enough cold weather gear to last the night,” said search manager Duane Tresnich.

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UPDATE 9:28 a.m.

A happy ending to the search for a missing teenage snowmobiler.

Police say a 14-year-old boy (RCMP earlier said he was 16) became separated from his father and brother while out snowmobiling in the Graystokes area east of Kelowna Monday.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and RCMP were involved in a search last night and again this morning, with word the boy had been found just before 9:30 this morning.

He was located safe and sound with no other details released.

“Kelowna RCMP would like to extend their thanks to the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR),” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy. “RCMP would also like to thank the media and all those all over the Central Okanagan who remained extra vigilant in hopes of spotting the missing
snowmobiler.”

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Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) and Kelowna RCMP are searching for 16-year-old boy after he became separated from his group while snowmobiling in Graystokes near Kelowna.

RCMP were notified Monday evening that three snowmobilers, a father and his two teenaged sons, were overdue from a trip into that area.

Shortly after the call, the father and one of his sons returned to their vehicle and advised they had become separated from the 16-year-old.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue were engaged and called out to assist.

The crews began their ground search immediately and continued throughout the night.