Rescuers called to Kettle Valley to rescue family who rescued themselves

KELOWNA – A family exploring the back roads east of the Kettle Valley railroad this weekend became stuck in the snow triggering local search and rescue volunteers into action.

Kelowna RCMP were called by a friend of the family about their predicament early Saturday morning, April 4, and the police activated Central Okanagan Search and Rescue.

As the search volunteers arrived at the staging point with snowmobiles and ATVs, they were met by the family who had managed to dig out their vehicle, according to a media release.

No one was hurt.

Duane Tresnich with Search and Rescue is reminding the public to be prepared for anything when traveling the back roads this time of year.

“Make sure you are carrying the right tools to get unstuck if that occurs,” Tresnich says in the release. “Much of the plateau elevations have received snow recently and are still experiencing freezing temperatures.”

“When possible travel in pairs and make sure you have notified family or friends on when you’re planning to return.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.