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Penticton Search and Rescue's helicopter is called in to transport an injured adventure racer on the Crawford DH trail. (Submitted photo/COSAR)
By Liam Verster
Busiest year on record

COSAR reaches ‘dubious milestone’ with two rescues Thursday

Oct 1, 2021 | 11:00 AM

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) has had it’s busiest year on record, after recording its 85th and 86th call of 2021 on Thursday, Sept. 30.

COSAR’s first call came at around 2:30 p.m. when a cyclist on the Kettle Valley Railway suffered a suspected heart attack.

Half an hour later COSAR was dispatched again, this time to respond to an injured adventure racer on the Crawford DH trail. The injured male was transported from the site using Penticton Search and Rescue’s helicopter.

Responding to their 86th call of 2021 marks COSAR’s busiest year in their 67 year history.

“It was a dubious milestone,” says COSAR president Brad Trites. “The huge volume of tasks is starting to take its toll.”

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He notes that COSAR is recruiting new members, and anyone with outdoor skills willing to volunteer a minimum of 200 hours a year is asked to apply at COSAR’s website.

by Liam Verster
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