Central Okanagan Search & Rescue

06/03/2026

On Saturday, COSAR was tasked to a medical rescue on the KVR near McCulloch Lake.
While on scene, COSAR member Forrest Kellerman spoke with police and learned of a serious vehicle rollover that had occurred nearby on Highway 33. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but the family’s three-year-old Australian Shepherd, Daisy, had fled the scene and was missing.
Family and friends spent days searching the area, hoping for a sign of their beloved dog.
As the owner of two Australian Shepherds himself, Forrest could not stop thinking about Daisy.
On Sunday and Monday he returned to the area on his own time, using his training to methodically search logging roads and forested areas around the crash site.
On Tuesday evening, Forrest and his wife Tracey headed back out for one more search. At approximately 7 pm Tracey spotted something unexpected. Sitting patiently in the passenger seat of one of the vehicles from Saturday's accident was Daisy.
After three nights alone in the woods, she was safe.
Forrest quickly located the dog’s owners, who were actively searching nearby, and reunited them with their missing family member.
While COSAR's mandate does not allow us to search for missing pets, the skills members learn can be used however they see fit.
In this case it was used to bring a family back together.
Well done, Forrest and Tracey and welcome home, Daisy.

~photo of Daisy in the truck right at the moment she was found

05/31/2026

The past 36 hours have kept Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers busy with four callouts.

Friday morning we were called to assist a stranded motorist in the hills near Terance Mountain. The subject had asked for help on a local page but the off-road rescue group members were unable to locate him and called 911. RCMP then called us but the male was able make his own way out and was going to go back for his vehicle at a later time.

A few hours later, Kamloops Search & Rescue asked for mutual assistant from the COSAR boat team. Unfortunately, our RIB is unsuitable for swiftwater and we reluctantly declined.

Late Friday night, COSAR searched through the night and into Saturday morning for a missing male in the Kelowna City Park/Bennett Bridge area. The subject was not located and RCMP continue their investigation.

Saturday afternoon, COSAR responded to assist BCEHS with an injured motorist near McCulloch Lake. After an area search, the subject was located by RCMP and transferred by COSAR to BCEHS for transport to hospital.

05/30/2026

Come visit the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team at the Lake Country Fire Department’s annual FireSmart open house and recruitment event today from 9am to 2 pm at at Station #71 (11063 Okanagan Centre Road East)

This is always a fantastic community event featuring fire services, EMS, search and rescue, and many other emergency response and community organizations. There will be plenty to see and do for all ages, making it a great family outing.

05/30/2026

Stop by Chute Lake Elementary School's carnival today from 5 PM to 7 PM and learn about Central Okanagan Search & Rescue.

05/19/2026

COSAR members were out over the long weekend, scouting access routes and conducting spring trail maintenance in the Okanagan Mountain Park area. Over the years we've had numerous calls to OMP, covering everything from heat stroke to hypothermia to lost hikers. Going to adventuresmart.ca and learning about the 3 Ts would helps mitigate some of these issues. 

05/18/2026

Tune in to hear COSAR Search manager Chris Mushumanski discuss the Oaklynn Schweder case Tuesday. Oaklynn was a 6-year-old autistic, non-verbal girl who went missing in rural BC in September 2024 and was found safe after surviving approximately 73 hours alone in the wilderness.

05/14/2026

Remember, our volunteers offer their service services for free, but remembering the 10 essentials, leaving a trip plan, and getting some training makes for a more enjoyable long weekend for everyone.

“In many parts of British Columbia, especially in remote and northern regions, ⚠️ HELP COULD BE HOURS AWAY ⚠️,” says Dale Parker, BCSARA President. “Distance, terrain, weather, access routes, and limited connectivity can all affect how quickly search and rescue groups are able to reach someone in need.”

While Southern and coastal regions often see incidents involving hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, paddlers, and climbers, northern and interior regions frequently involve hunters, ATV and UTV users, resource road travellers, remote anglers, foragers, and backcountry campers. → Regardless of activity or location, preparedness remains critical.←

Full statement: https://bcsara.com/2026/05/bc-search-and-rescue-caution-help-might-be-hours-away/

05/08/2026

Happy to report the mutual aid task with VSAR had a positive outcome and everyone is home safe.
Pro tip: go to AdventureSmart.ca, read about the 3Ts and utilize them, especially the piece about leaving a trip plan.

05/07/2026

05/04/2026

No words really capture how grateful we are to everyone at the Stober Group. Their support for COSAR has been consistent, generous, and genuine.
From stepping into team training scenarios to giving their time and energy, they continue to show what community really looks like.
Support like this makes a difference to volunteer organizations like ours when it counts. We’re proud to have them alongside us. Thank you for everything you do.