SLOW DOWN | RCMP issue warning after excessive speeders pulled off the road [A5]
Morning gStar
The
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
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Kombi Unit
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KM56 RC-E Powerhead • MSRP $229.95
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Sale ends July 31, 2014
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3202 29TH Street, Vernon • 250-545-0627
Parachutist strikes home RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
DAVID CULLEN PHOTO
Emergency crews respond to a plane crash in the Six Mile Creek area Monday night. The pilot had attempted to land on Okanagan Lake.
A parachutist is relatively unscathed after hitting a Vernon home. At about 4:15 p.m. Monday, a student with Okanagan Skydive was soaring above the Vernon Airport when he began to descend and struck a residence in the 2400 block of Myriad Road. “It’s only speculation but it seems like the student passed out and was unable to control the parachute,” said Bret Chalmers, with Okanagan Skydive. While there were reports that the parachutist got tangled in power lines, that wasn’t the case. “The parachute got caught up but there was 30 feet between him and the chute and he tumbled towards the ground,” said Jack Blair, Vernon deputy fire chief. The student, who is believed to be 50 years old and possibly from Kelowna or Westbank, did not break any bones and only sustained bruises. He had recorded about 200 parachute jumps 10 to 15 years ago but he had been at Okanagan Skydive for the first jump course. Chalmers has talked to the individual’s family as part of his company’s investigation into the accident. “We will do an incident report with our national organization,” he said.
Pilot walks away from crash RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Residents and emergency crews were scrambling after a plane went down in the hills west of Okanagan Lake. At about 6:45 p.m. Monday, the RCMP received a report of a float plane crashing in the Six Mile Creek area off Westside Road. “Residents in the area heard the crash and started looking before crews even got there,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson. Besides the RCMP, the response team also included the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department, the B.C. Ambulance Service, the Wildfire Management Branch and Vernon Search and Rescue members. Accessing the area off Six Mile Creek
“He’s pretty lucky. He should be buying lottery tickets.” — Leigh Pearson
Road was extremely challenging. “It’s pretty ugly — heavily forested and steep,” said Leigh Pearson, with Vernon Search and Rescue. The plane was located at about 8 p.m. “The individual (pilot) was very fortunate because the plane came down in a wooded area,” said Molendyk. “He was able to walk away from the scene and was taken to hospital for treatment.”
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Non-life threatening injuries were sustained and he has been released from hospital. The plane’s wings and tail were ripped off during impact. “It’s hanging up in the trees,” said Pearson, adding that the pilot was able to get out of the downed aircraft on his own. “He’s pretty lucky. He should be buying lottery tickets.” The pilot is 52-years-old and from Campbell River. It’s believed he was attempting to land on Okanagan Lake, after flying in from northern Alberta, when the engine stopped. The Transportation Safety Board will not attend the scene but is in contact with the RCMP and the pilot.
6425 Hwy 97 N, Vernon BC bannisterhonda.com 250-545-0531 • 888-545-0531
VERNON FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO
A parachute is tangled in power lines after a parachute student struck a home on Myriad Road.
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†$2,500 cash purchase incentive is available on select other 2014 CR-V models (LX AWD, EX, EX-L and Touring). Honda cash purchase Incentive will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes and cannot be combined with special lease or finance offers. ‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2014 CR-V LX only on behalf of the customer. ΩLimited time weekly lease offer based on a new 2014 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3EES. ¥1.99% lease APR on a 60 month term with 260 weekly payments O.A.C. Weekly payment, including freight and PDI, is $66.84 based on applying $1,625.00 lease dollars (which is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $17,378.40. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometers. **MSRP is $27,685 including freight and PDI of $1,695 based on a new 2014 2014 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3EES. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. ¥/Ω Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent’s fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer on the 2014 CR-V LX only. ‡/Ω/¥/** Offers valid from July 1st through 31st, 2014 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.