Vernon Search and Rescue was called to assist a family stuck in the Okanagan on Saturday afternoon.
According to the organization, around 3 pm, members were actioned to assist a stuck side-by-side UTV on the snowmobile trails near Silverstar Mountain. They quickly mobilized to the SAR hall, gathering gear and sleds in the process.
VSAR was informed that two adults and three children were inside the stuck vehicle. They were all warm and safe, though they couldn't dig their machine out of the deep snow.
"Our team then established an Incident Command Post at the Silverstar Snowmobile trails parking lot near Sovereign Lake," wrote VSAR. "While setting up the sled teams, we were informed the subjects had 'unstuck' themselves and were on their way to the parking lot. Soon they arrived, the kids smiling and still interested in playing in the snow."
"This situation was the best we could have hoped for: the subjects were well-prepared for the cold weather and very capable, they kept calm and methodically tried to dig themselves out. They stayed together with their vehicle and didn’t try to walk out alone."
VSAR praised the affected people for immediately activating their SOS beacon once they realized they could be spending the night alone in the mountains. The group went as far as communicating with VSAR through an "inReach" device, updating the organization on the situation throughout the journey.
"Our team would to like to remind the public to call early when accidents happen. The longer you wait, the higher the potential risk to the subjects and to our SAR team."
