Injured sledder rescued from backcountry

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue called in a helicopter on Monday to help with an injured snowmobiler in the Greystokes area east of Kelowna.

The chopper brought in a medical team but had to leave when visibility dropped so the injured man was taken out by sled.

COSAR says the 29-year-old and his two partners used an InReach to transmit their location and then built a fire and shelter and waited for help.

“The sledders did everything right. They had an InReach, fire starter, warm clothes and snacks. It made the wait that much more comfortable for their friend,” search manager Kevin Birnie said.

“These are part of the 10 essentials Adventure Smart advocates for.”

The subject was handed off to the BC Ambulance Service around 5:30 p.m. and taken to Kelowna General Hospital.

It was COSAR’s 12th task of the year.