UPDATE: Search for missing snowmobiler prompted call to Canadian Air Force

| February 18, 2020 in BC Interior

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(UPDATE: Feb. 18 @ 3:00 pm): Kelowna RCMP have released details surrounding the rescue of a 14-year-old snowmobiler on Tuesday morning.

A large team of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members alongside volunteers from the Kelowna Snowmobile Club were dispatch to find the missing teenage boy. 

Photo Credit: COSAR.

According to authorities, the boy's young age prompted a Canadian Air Force Cormorant helicopter and a Buffalo STOL from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron to be called in from Comox to aid search efforts. 

Thankfully, the search party tracked the boy down in the Greystokes area around 10 am when he was evacuated via helicopter to waiting BC Ambulance Service paramedics who later released him. 

“Although he could’ve been better equipped, he had enough cold weather gear to last the night," said search manager Duane Tresnich.

Photo Credit: COSAR.

In total, 30 searchers took part in the rescue.

(UPDATE: Feb. 18 @ 9:30 am): The boy who went missing last night has been found safe, police said. 

“Kelowna RCMP would like to extend their thanks to the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR),” said Cpl Jocelyn Noseworthy.

“RCMP would also like to thank the media and all those all over the Central Okanagan who remained extra vigilant in hopes of spotting the missing
snowmobiler.”

Mounties also confirmed the boy is 14, not 16 as they originally reported.

(Original story: Feb. 18 @ 6:52 am): A teenaged snowmobiler is still missing in the backcountry after becoming separated from his father and brother last night. 

Police were told the boy was missing shortly after 6 pm yesterday. 

He was enjoying a trip with his family in the Graystokes area. 

The group was reported overdue first before the father and one son returned to their vehicle and told police that just the other boy was missing. 

Search and rescue teams helped search throughout the night.

More Info!

Police said the boy is 16, but in a series of Facebook posts made by a woman who says she is the boy's mother, his age is given as 14. 

The woman, Bonnie Voelker, said that search and rescue teams are in the area now.

In her initial post last night, she asked: "Was anyone riding today and saw a man and two teenage boys wearing lime green snow gear and one son wearing a blue jacket and lime snow pants driving skidoos.

"Truck is a blue club cab F150 Ford with a Norbert black and red trailer at the parking lot? Have not returned home? We’e they broken down?"

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