A Kelowna man in his 20s had to be rescued by helicopter after falling down a canyon at Crawford Falls, Wednesday evening.
Crews arrived on the scene, at about 5:30 p.m. to discover a technical rescue would be needed to reach the man who was with two friends.
After the first two men were pulled to safety using a high-angle rope rescue, crews found a helicopter would have to be brought in to reach the third victim.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue were called to conduct a helicopter rescue.
Rescue successful. Man pulled off the cliffside with a technician b pic.twitter.com/Ao28214uL0
— michael rodriguez, but a little farther away (@MichaelRdrguez) May 21, 2020
Kelowna Fire Department platoon captain John Kelly said the men were hiking by the falls when one man lost his footing and fell down a 40-foot embankment.
“He does have some head injuries, cuts and abrasions. We packed him up and he is being flown to hospital,” explained Kelly. “He was conscious and coherent, but he was faced down at the time.”
Witnesses on the scene said the man fell onto rocks and landed on his face.
— michael rodriguez, but a little farther away (@MichaelRdrguez) May 21, 2020
Eight technical rescuers from the Kelowna Fire Department, RCMP, BC Ambulance and COSAR attended the scene.
“We have a great relationship with COSAR,” said Kelly. “When both teams work together we all have a successful outcome.”
Helicopter has dropped rescue crews to the cliff. Now appears to be standing by. pic.twitter.com/lFQO6dwfwj
— michael rodriguez, but a little farther away (@MichaelRdrguez) May 21, 2020
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