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By Vernon Matters Staff

false alarm

Bad singing prompts full local search effort

Aug 3, 2025 | 6:00 AM

An interesting search was undertaken by Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) this past week, and ultimately it turned out to be little more than someone’s arguably challenged singing skills.

Thursday night, COSAR responded to reports of someone yelling for help near the Boulderfields, a popular climbing spot off the Kettle Valley Railway. Two concerned hikers called 911 after hearing repeated cries.

Since Thursday is our regular training night we responded with a full contingent of members, two RCMP officers, and our drone team. Early responders even heard faint yelling—but couldn’t make out what was being said. Was it “help”? Or worse, Nickelback?

While half the team prepped to comb the woods on foot, the rest covered nearby forest roads. Then we found him: a lone camper, singing his heart out to the trees, blissfully unaware that the acoustics of the Boulderfields had turned his tent-side concert into an accidental distress signal.

“He wasn’t in trouble,” said COSAR Search Manager Duane Tresnich. “Unless you count his singing.”

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COSAR would like to thank the folks who called it in—it could have been serious. That area’s full of tricky terrain and bike trails, so better safe than sorry.

And remember, our services are always free. And the money you save could be spent on singing lessons.