COSAR members extracting a woman near Oyama Lake Wednesday,  March 29. (photo credit: Central Okanagan Search and Rescue)

By Liam Verster

Caught in Deep Snow

Hikers and dogs rescued from Oyama Lake area

Mar 30, 2023 | 10:55 AM

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) were called out to locate and extract three people and a dog from the Lake Country area Wednesday.

Members learned two men, a woman and their dogs left from Oyama earlier in the day March 29 when conditions were favourable and headed south along High Rim Trail.

However, conditions deteriorated and the hikers wound up in waist deep snow where the woman suffered a medical incident and was unable to continue.

The hikers managed to find cell phone coverage and called for help.

COSAR dispatched a helicopter to transport a medical team to the trail between Oyama Lake and Beaver Lake Road to stabilize the woman.

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The woman was taken to Kelowna Airport by helicopter and then transported to hospital by ambulance, but due to the darkness, it would not be able to fly back to the scene, so one COSAR member was left with the two male hikers and the dogs.

A four-member COSAR snowmobile team was dispatched as well and located and extracted the hikers, dogs and search and rescue member.

The hikers were dropped off near Beaver Lake Lodge around 9:45 p.m., and an ambulance was waiting at the scene to check the individuals, both of whom were assessed then released to family members.

Search Manager Michael Day reminds hikers that, while the weather may be promising in the valley, higher elevations still have snowy and wintery conditions, and advises people to be prepared and carry the essential items recommended by AdventureSmart B.C. including navigational and communication aids, extra clothing, food and water; first aid kit; fire making kit, and emergency shelter.