North Okanagan residents are being advised to prepare for the heat after a dramatic rescue Thursday.
Two teenagers were hiking the Enderby Cliffs Thursday afternoon when the 35-degree temperature overpowered them and they sustained heat exhaustion.
“Heat stroke can be deadly,” said Leigh Pearson, with Vernon Search and Rescue.
“At one point, the girl passed out before we got there.”
It’s not known how long the Enderby area teens — a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl — had been on the mountain before they called for help with their cellular phone.
Vernon Search and Rescue was called at 4:30 p.m. and 19 volunteer members responded.
Because of the condition of the teens, the helicopter long-line extraction team from Penticton was required.
“They weren’t able to hike back down. They had used all of their energy up,” said Pearson of the youths.
The pair were flown to Vernon Jubilee Hospital in serious condition. Their condition was not known as of deadline Saturday.
Pearson says the teens weren’t prepared for the hike in hot weather.
“They had one tiny bottle of water between the two in blazing hot temperatures,” he said.
“It’s a steep climb up the Enderby Cliffs and they burned themselves out hiking.”
Pearson believes the incident should remind residents to plan ahead when heading outdoors and to consider weather conditions.
“Pick your time of day better and you can never have enough water with you,” he said.
“Wear a hat, keep the sun off of you and take lots of breaks.”
