By Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck

This past week things seemed to get back to the normal “off season” in the Columbia Valley as the RCMP responded to approximately 60 calls for service.  The following is a small sample of a few of those calls.

Video catches donation jar thief

On January 4, RCMP received a complaint of a theft of a Summit Youth donation jar holding approximately $50 from Rivergems store in Invermere. RCMP reviewed some evidence with staff and quickly determined who was responsible. The culprit was confronted and quickly agreed to pay the money back, this was agreed to by the complainant and the matter was resolved informally.

Sledders taken to task

In the very early morning hours of January 6, Columbia Valley RCMP received report of some people riding snowmobiles on the Springs Golf Course in Radium Hot Springs. RCMP attended to the area and located two parked snowmobiles alongside the fence at the northwest side of the golf course. Police also located two individuals nearby who were obviously the owners of the machines. RCMP educated them on area sledding etiquette advising them the course was private property and they were trespassing. Additionally, the operators admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the evening but did not seem intoxicated. In public interest, RCMP gave the pair a ride back to their vacation residence and strongly urged them to either pick up the sleds in the morning or locate a definite sober person to drive the sleds back, they agreed.

Sleepiness plays role in KNP crash

On January 8, at about 3:30 a.m., RCMP received a report of a van in a ditch near Numa Falls on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park. It was reported that there were no injuries but a tow truck was required. RCMP attended, the weather was cold as it was around minus 25 degrees Celsius and the roads had dry sections, sections of black ice, and compact snow. Sure enough, police found the vehicle buried deep in the ditch; luckily the driver, and only occupant, was not injured. The driver admitted that sleep deprivation may have played a role in the off road adventure. The driver hopped in the patrol car and the RCMP gave the driver a ride home where he would be warm and safe.

Injured skier rescued

Later that afternoon Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a male skier with an injured leg near Olive Lake, off of Forester Road close to Radium Hot Springs. The weather was cold and considered life threatening so the RCMP activated the Provincial Emergency Program and Search and Rescue in hopes the services could locate the individual in an expedient manner. Personnel within the Search and Rescue team were familiar with the people skiing and knew the injured male and therefore had an idea where to look. With the aid of helicopter, search and rescue located the injured male and extracted him, eventually flying him to Invermere Airport where BC Ambulance was waiting.  They then transported him to the Invermere & District Hospital with a left knee injury (or as my seven-year-old affectionately calls it, the leg elbow).

Driver does right thing after hydro pole crash

During the late evening hours of January 8, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a single vehicle motor vehicle incident on Panorama Road by Industrial Road #2, where a pickup had missed the corner and struck a hydro pole. Although the truck could have been driven out the driver did the right thing and contacted police because of the unknown damage to the power pole and uncertainly of power line integrity. BC Hydro quickly attended to the scene, assessed damage and deemed the power lines safe and the truck could be moved. Luckily there were no injuries and no signs of alcohol/drug use from driver and only occupant. The main contributing factor is believed to be poor weather as Invermere was experiencing heavy snowfall and limited visibility at the time. There was no tow required as the driver was able to drive out of the ditch with ease.

Other interesting statistics from the week: 12 traffic incidents; three abandoned 911 calls; two fraud investigations (internet based), and one Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

– Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck is Commander of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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