Tail fin of mortar found near Sidewinder Trail in the Cosens Bay area of Kal Lake Provincial Park Feb. 8. (RCMP photo)

By Pete McIntyre

training area

UPDATE: Military mortar removed from Kal Park

Feb 9, 2024 | 12:30 PM

A hiking trail in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park has reopened to the public after specialists removed a potentially dangerous item left over from military training decades ago.

RCMP say the item found on the Sidewinder Trail in the Cosens Bay area by a fuel mitigation crew on Thursday was confirmed to be the tail section of an old mortar round.

Police say the ordnance was dealt with on Thursday evening.

“It was removed by members of the Canadian Forces Fleet Diving Unit – Pacific,” RCMP Const. Chris Terleski told Vernon Matters.

Tail fin of mortar found by fuel mitigation crew near Sidewinder Trail in the Cosens Bay area of Kal Lake Provincial Park Feb. 8. (RCMP photo)

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Feb. 8, 2024

A hiking trail has been cordoned off in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park after a possible unexploded mortar was discovered.

RCMP say a crew working on fuel mitigation located what appeared to be the tail fin of a mortar sticking out of the ground just off the Sidewinder Trail in the Cosens Bay area of the park in Coldstream around 9:15 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 8).

“Police were notified and frontline officers are currently at the scene and have cordoned off the area to ensure the safety of the public,” Const. Chris Terleski said.

Terleski said the park was used for military training several decades ago.

“Similar items have been found in the past by park users. We’ve consulted with our RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit, and given the fact that the item is believed to be of military origin, we have secured the area and are awaiting direction from the Canadian Forces,” the media relations officer stated

Police said the Sidewinder Trail will be closed until further notice, and officers will remain in the area to direct people away from the site.

by Pete McIntyre

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