KSAR called for injured dirt biker, missing ATVer

Jun 4, 2016 | 2:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — A seriously injured dirt biker has been rescued from the Melba Lake area, south of Kamloops.

Alan Hobler with Kamloops Search and Rescue said they received the call around noon yesterday, June 4. 

“He was dirt biking with some friends and had an accident, went over the handle bars, landing on his head,” Hobler said. 

“B.C. Ambulance was called in along with the Air Ambulance, and we were called in to assist with stretcher carry.”

Hobler said it took some time to locate the injured person, who was in a difficult to access area.

“We had to carry the person for about probably an hour in that hot heat yesterday, so everyone was pretty tired and dehydrated by the end of the day,” Hobler said. 

The dirt biker was in good spirits despite the knowledge that he could have a serious injury.

“We treated him for a c-spine injury, so he’s immobilized,” Hobler explained, “and went to the hospital, and I’m not sure how things turned out.”

Hobler said the dirt-biker was wearing proper protective equipment. 

Crews returned home at approximately 6 p.m. 

Members of Kamloops Search and Rescue weren’t home for long when another call came in at 10 p.m. 

Hobler said crews were called to Mt. Lolo, where a person had gone missing while operating an ATV with a group of friends. 

“They got seperated,” Hobler said. “He ended up eventually running out of gas and his friends couldn’t find him.”

The search lasted all night, with the missing person being located this morning, June 5. 

Hobler said the ATVer was cold, but otherwise healthy.