Missing hunters rescued

A group of hunters has been found safe after getting stranded in the wilderness in the Big White area near Kelowna.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) says the truck being used by the two adults and two children got stuck on a forest service road Tuesday night.

“A friend of the hunters had a fairly good idea of the location and then 13 search and rescue volunteers convoyed up to the 201 Forest Service Rd. at 11 p.m. Tire tracks were found leading up the Rabbit Creek FSR but none were seen coming out. While a group of searchers set up containment, the four trucks followed the tracks up the road. Around 1:30 a.m. 15 kilometres up the Rabbit FSR a group of searchers found the subjects’ truck stuck in a washout,” said search manager Ephraim Nowak.

Nowak added the people did everything right by staying put.

“We had a good idea of the area they were in, they stayed with the vehicle, lit a fire and kept themselves warm,” said Nowak, adding that the area had no cell service.

The stranded group was happy to see their rescuers.

“Everyone is doing great and the kids are happy because they get a day off school,” said one of the searchers.

COSAR is using the incident to remind outdoor enthusiasts to file a detailed plan before heading off into the wilderness.

“This is the time of year that our call volume starts to go up because people aren’t prepared for conditions. This group, fortunately, had all the appropriate survival gear including warm clothes, food and water and the ability to light a fire,” said Nowak.