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Two people injured on local trails

Penticton Search and Rescue called out for two ambulance assists Saturday
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Penticton Search and Rescue were called to two incidents Saturday where people got into trouble on local trails. (Submitted photo)

Penticton and District Search and Resue was called out twice Saturday to assist Emergency Health Services.

The first call came in at noon on Aug. 19 for a young female injured in a fall from her horse while riding the KVR Trail in the Kaleden area. PENSAR members were preparing to attend, but dispatchers were able to contact Kaleden Fire Rescue who were able to respond quickly and assist with the evacuation.

The second call from B.C. Ambulance came at about 4 p.m. to assist with a medical evacuation of an injured male mountain biker off Max Lake Road above West Bench. The cyclist was biking alone when he fell from his bike, sustaining a severe head injury and losing consciousness.

A passing mountain biker found the injured male and was able to call 911 but was unable to provide dispatchers with an exact location other than they were up Max Lake Road on a mountain bike trail.

PENSAR responded with an air rescue and a ground team on all terrain vehicles. Communication was re-established with the initial 911 caller who was able to meet rescuers on Max Lake Road. The injured 67-year-old male was located and transported by ATV to a nearby ambulance and then to Penticton Regional Hospital.

To provide better location information, PENSAR is reccomending backcountry users download the Trailforks app, a mobile companion to Trailforks.com. According to PENSAR release, the app allows user to download offline trail maps and assists with emergency location.

The Penticton and Area Cycling Association has also blogged about the Trailforks app.