A collaborative effort between Central Okanagan and Vernon Search and Rescue (COSAR, VSAR) helped saved an injured motorcyclist off Highway 33 on Friday.
Around 12 p.m. on Aug. 8, COSAR was called by B.C. Emergency Services to help rescue the injured motorcyclist, who crashed in remote terrain between Little White and Carmi.
"The rider, part of a touring group travelling from Highway 33 toward Chute Lake Lodge, lost control and crashed on a challenging backcountry route," reads a COSAR Facebook post.
COSAR deployed a team on off-road vehicles while a back-up crew was staged close to McCulloch Lake. However, due to the rugged conditions and the severity of the rider's injuries, COSAR requested mutual aid in the form of VSAR's specialized helicopter winch team called Air Rescue One.
Upon their quick arrival, the team was able to winch the rider up from the forest and transport them to an ambulance. The rider was then taken to Kelowna General Hospital.
"We would like to thank the Air Rescue One Helicopter Winch Society (AROHWS) for providing flight crew, winch, and rescue helicopter," said COSAR.
