One of the Okanagan’s fine search and rescue teams has been honoured by the RCMP.
North Okanagan RCMP superintendent Shawn Baher presented the Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) with the Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation.
It’s for the organization’s hard work regarding the search for Vernon teacher John Keeley, whose body was recovered from Mabel Lake on July 27.
VSAR was initially called out to the area on July 18 to search for Keeley, who went missing that day while kayaking.
Two boats and multiple crews began a search that lasted into the night, the next day and at various times over the following 10 days until he was found.
Late in the evening of July 27, the crew was once again on the water to search for Keepey and noted the presence of a body nearby.
They continued to search in difficult and hazardous terrain before finding the missing man over 200 yards into the dense bush surrounding Mabel Lake.
“The persistence and dedication to duty displayed by members of theVSAR group is typical of their response in general,” said Baher. “It is a credit to this teams’ professionalism, training and dedication to the community which they serve.”
VSAR isa volunteer, non-profit charitable society that has provided search and rescue services to the North Okanagan area since 1960.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
