Western News Staff
Penticton Search and Rescue (PENSAR) members were called out twice in less than 24 hours on the weekend to help with medical evacuations.
The first was Saturday afternoon when an injured climber was airlifted by the helicopter evacuation transport system team in the McIntyre Canyon just north of Oliver.
The most recent was Sunday morning when crews were called to the Ellis Canyon Trail near the Lost Moose Lodge after receiving a report of a female hiker in her 30's who had suffered a broken leg.
In the first incident, although the injuries to the unidentified male in his 20's were not thought to be life threatening, due to terrain and pending storm conditions it was decided to enlist the services of the team.
The victim was located, treated and transported by air to the nearby staging area and waiting BC Ambulance.
Details of his injuries were not available.
Members of the Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue initially responded to the dispatch and as part of the mutual aid arrangements called in support help from Penticton.
In Sunday's rescue, 15 ground and rope team members and two rescue trucks were dispatched to the scene.
The victim was about 75 metres from the road down a steep embankment.
The woman, believed to be from Washington State, was given emergency first aid to stabilize her and brought up the hillside to Beaverdell Road which took about 15 minutes.
She was then taken by ambulance to Penticton Regional Hospital.