A lost hiker stung by an unknown insect was airlifted from a Vernon hillside by Vernon Search and Rescue Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (Contributed)

A lost hiker stung by an unknown insect was airlifted from a Vernon hillside by Vernon Search and Rescue Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (Contributed)

Search and rescue team airlifts lost hiker from Vernon hillside

The hiker, who was stung by an unknown insect, was handed over to B.C. Ambulance Service July 29

  • Aug. 1, 2020 12:00 a.m.

A hiker was airlifted off a mountain in the Vernon area on July 29 after he was stung by an unidentified insect.

Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) received a call from the hiker around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, and deployed its helicopter team to the area along with a ground search unit comprising rescue team members on off-road vehicles.

“The individual was lost up on the hillside west of the Blue Jay subdivision,” VSAR public information officer Trevor Honigman said.

“He was stung by some type of insect and wasn’t aware of what it was, and he was asking for assistance.”

Honigman said the man was able to direct Search and Rescue to his location be cellphone. The helicopter team then flew him to the Vernon Airport, where he was put into the care of B.C. Ambulance Service waiting for the team’s arrival.

Honigman said the hiker suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

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Brendan Shykora

Reporter, Vernon Morning Star

Email me at Brendan.Shykora@vernonmorningstar.com

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