Search and rescue responds to three incidents New Year’s Day

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue kicked off the new year with a busy day.

The volunteer search group responded to three incidents Monday, January 1, 2024.

The first call was received at around 11 a.m. as the West Kelowna Fire Department and B.C. Ambulance Service were responding to a person who had collapsed while hiking the Goats Peak Trail in West Kelowna.

COSAR responded with ground and UTV teams and worked to try to assist the person, but they passed away during the rescue.

As the search and rescue teams were leaving that scene, a call came in from Kelowna RCMP to assist in the search of a despondent person, but while en route the Mounties called and said the person was located.

The final call New Year’s Day came just after nightfall, as West Kelowna RCMP were requesting assistance locating a hiker who got lost on the McDougall Rim Trail and called 911 for help. COSAR e-bike and ATV teams were deployed and assisted in locating and transporting the individual back to the trail head.

COSAR advised hikers to check the sunset time before heading out on a trail to ensure they do not get into trouble, and also reminded people that do get lost and call for help to never leave the spot they called from.

The volunteer group said the calls on New Year’s Day came on the heels of responding to 74 call outs in 2023, which was the third busiest year in the group’s 70-year history.