In true long weekend fashion, the beaches, trails and waters of the Central Okanagan were packed over Canada Day, which also lead to a busy time for the local search and rescue team.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue responded to six tasks overall over the weekend, starting the morning of July 1, with a call to help Kelowna RCMP in finding a missing swimmer in City Park. The swimmer was found as members were arriving on the scene.

Later that afternoon, search and rescue were called to assist with the wildfire on Knox Mountain, with 22 members helping evacuate residents and knocking on doors. Search and rescue also had its boat on the waters of Okanagan Lake and were able to help clear the area for helicopters to pick up water to battle the blaze.

On the way back to the marina as part of the same task, the boat team was able to rescue two female paddleboarders who had been blown down the lake and were trying to get back into town via the shoreline.

At about 6 p.m. on Saturday, COSAR was called to rescue an injured ATV rider in the Greystokes area, pulling ten members from the Knox Mountain wildfire to assist. A helicopter was called in, as well as an ATV team, to rescue the rider and bring them to Kelowna General Hospital.

Later that evening, the boat team was again deployed to rescue a stranded boater, though they were able to get to shore without assistance.

Lastly, just after midnight on Monday, July 3, a call was received about an elderly woman missing in the Postill Lake area. As members deployed a search mission, the team received word that the woman was safe with her family.

READ MORE: Teenager dies following mountain biking crash at Big White

READ MORE: State of emergency, evacuations rescinded as Knox Mountain wildfire under control

Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com
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