High angle rescue.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/West Kelowna Fire Rescue
October 01, 2017 - 9:18 AM
WEST KELOWNA - A family of four was hiking and got stuck on a very steep and technical section of side-trail and needed to be rescued by West Kelowna Fire Rescue.
Yesterday at approximately 5:26 p.m. the West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to a report of a family trapped on Mt. Boucherie, according to a West Kelowna Fire Rescue release issued yesterday, Sept. 30.
A family of four went hiking and got stuck on a steep and technical section of a side-trail. The parents decided to call 911 for assistance. Regional Fire Dispatch stated that the family was stuck on a cliff or steep trail with poor footing and the best access was from Lakeview Cove Road in the Lakeview Heights area.
When the report came in the West Kelowna Fire Rescue was on the scene of a structure fire, however, technical rescue trained career firefighters were able to leave the scene of the fire to respond to the family.
The RCMP, who were on the scene and in contact with the family via cell phone, was able to provide West Kelowna Fire Rescue with GPS coordinates. After a 45 minute hike, the team was able to locate the family.
"The rescue team devised a plan to assist the family down the steep and rocky slope," said West Kelowna Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Darren Lee. "A rope system was set up and the family members were safely lowered to a main-trail near the bottom of the cliff. Once the family members we on the main-trail, West Kelowna Fire Rescue firefighters and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members walked the individual family members to safety. All family members were checked by B.C. Ambulance paramedics before being released from the scene."
There was 10 personnel on scene consisting of one rescue, one engine, one squad, and one command unit. West Kelowna Fire Rescue worked with the West Kelowna RCMP, and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue. B.C. Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene in case one of the family members or responder required medical treatment.
West Kelowna Fire Rescue did not state whether any of the family members sustained injuries.
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