On Tuesday July, 2 at 1:20 p.m., Keremeos Search and Rescue (KSAR) received a call requesting them to help Keremeos RCMP with the search for two missing hikers in the Cathedral lakes area.
KSAR search manager Al McCormick put the call out to the local KSAR members as well as calling in mutual aid from the other three area teams, which is standard practice as the four teams; Keremeos, Oliver/Osoyoos, Penticton and Princeton make the South Okanagan Similkameen Search and Rescue group (SOSSAR).
All four teams responded and there were approximately 30 SAR team members in total on the search along with a variety of quads, utv’s, trucks and command vehicles.
The search began looking for the missing subject’s vehicle. The vehicle was eventually located by the RCMP helicopter approximately 55 kilometres up the Ashnola road.
Once the vehicle was located we had a Last Known position, or LKP and the decision to move command to that location was made. While on route to the new command location, one of the Oliver - Osoyoos team trucks was slowed by dust and sun while driving and pulled over and suddenly heard cries for help. They radioed the SAR manager and were then told to investigate.
Both missing subjects where located at or around the 24 kilometre mark on the road across the river from the road at around 6:30 p.m.
The Swift Water Rescue team then geared up and crossed the river to help the subjects get across.
This was a very successful search and rescue operation because of the many talented individuals in the four SOSSAR teams coming together to provide an incredibly organized response to the request by the RCMP for help.
Keremeos SAR would like to thank all team members who attended and helped with the search.
Al McCormick
SAR manager
KSAR