Injured snowmobiler airlifted to safety in B.C.’s West Kootenays

A snowmobiler is seen in a Shutterstock file image.

Emergency crews airlifted a seriously injured snowmobiler to safety following an accident in B.C.’s West Kootenays over the weekend.

Authorities said the 21-year-old Grand Forks resident was hurt while riding in the Goose Creek area near Castlegar on Saturday afternoon.

Castlegar RCMP said the snowmobiler was with a friend who reported the accident on a satellite telephone, and that the message was embedded with GPS co-ordinates.

“Given the remote location and terrain of the area, Castlegar Search and Rescue were dispatched who sent a team to rescue the injured rider,” the detachment said in a news release Monday.

“The injured male was airlifted to an awaiting ambulance and transported to hospital.”

The snowmobiler is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.

The incident happened amid a period of heightened avalanche risk in many parts of the province.

The danger remained “considerable” Monday in areas of the Lower Mainland and Interior, including around Castlegar, according to Avalanche Canada.