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West Kelowna  

Smith Creek rescue

A mountain biker is in hospital care after being air lifted near Smith Creek Monday afternoon.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue assistant fire chief Darren Lee says emergency crews received the call at approximately 1:15 p.m. that a mountain biker had crashed on the trails adjacent to the upper portion of Smith Creek Road.

“The Westbank based WKFR crews initially responded to the scene, but had to hike in several kilometres to access that patient,” says Lee. “Once crews located and stabilized the patient they coordinated with Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance and additional WKFR resources to develop a rescue plan.”

A decision was made to call in the help of the HETS (helicopter external transfer system) team from Penticton and District Search and Rescue to airlift the patient.

“The HETS Team responded with Eclipse Helicopters and were able to safely and successfully long-line the patient to a parking area on Smith Creek Road,” says Lee. “The patient was loaded into a BC Ambulance and transported the Kelowna General Hospital.”

The patient's rescue was assisted by WKFR crews, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, Penticton Search and Rescue and West Kelowna RCMP.

The rescued mountain biker is reportedly a man who suffered unknown injuries.

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