Glider pilot in critical condition

A glider pilot remains in hospital in critical condition, after crashing his aircraft in a remote area outside of Invermere Friday evening.

Police report the man is in his 70s and from Kelowna.

On July 10 at 6:45 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that a glider aircraft had crashed near Pedley Pass in a remote area near Invermere.

The pilot of a secondary glider aircraft flying in the area made the discovery, reported the crash site to airport operations who called 911.

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue, which was activated by Emergency Management BC, reached the crash scene and managed to remove the pilot from the aircraft’s cockpit.

“The pilot, who was breathing, was attended to by a physician who is part of the search and rescue team,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for BC Southeast District RCMP. “The pilot, a Kelowna man in his 70’s, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital aboard the search and rescue aircraft.

“Police have been told that he has since been airlifted in critical condition to a larger centre for further medical treatment.”

The Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation.