Reaching for a cell phone almost cost a man his life

VERNON —    The Vernon Search and Rescue team said a Calgary hiker who fell almost 150 feet down a waterfall at Fintry Park near Vernon is lucky to be alive let alone relatively unharmed.

     Rescuers said the 30-year-old Alberta man dropped his phone over the edge of the falls while trying to snap a picture, and fell in while reaching for it.

     Search manager Leigh Pearson said the man likely hit the rock face several times during his tumble, which slowed him down and allowed him to plunge safely into a pool below.

    Sandra Riches, executive director and B-C coordinator for AdventureSmart, confirmed the province has seen six search and rescue missions at or near waterfalls in 2018.