By Cpl. Jeff Witzke

This past week, May 8 to May 14 , Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 62 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

Paraglider taken to hospital after crash near Lake Windermere

On May 14, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a downed paraglider near Lake Windermere. On scene members were told there was a malfunction which made the non-powered paraglider descend at a high rate of speed, colliding with the embankment next to the railway tracks. The operator was transported to the local hospital with minor injuries.

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue located lost hiker

On May 13, Columbia Valley RCMP received a phone call from a stranded hiker in the Panorama Mountain Resort area. The hiker was alone, had cell reception and had already been hiking for six hours and was unsure of his location. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue was dispatched, located the hiker who was brought back to safety without incident.

Be prepared when heading into the backcountry

The RCMP and Search and Rescue are reminding people headed into the backcountry this spring/summer to be prepared. Have a plan, notify people of those plans, have extra food and water along with extra clothing. Depending on conditions, Search and Rescue might not be able to respond immediately and there’s been circumstances in the past where people in need of rescuing have had to spend the night in the backcountry.

Also, please be mindful that most areas do NOT have cell reception.

– Cpl. Jeff Witzke is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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