Search and rescue crews in the Okanagan say they responded to reports of someone yelling for help Thursday that turned out to be a man singing.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) says its team members were training when someone reported yelling near the Boulderfields, a popular climbing spot off the Kettle Valley Railway.
COSAR search manager Duane Tresnich tells 1130 NewsRadio that the man was reportledy shouting “help, help, help.”
A “full contingent of members,” two RCMP officers, and a drone team responded.
Tresnich says volunteers were sincerely concerned for the person’s safety.
“There are a lot of mountain bike trails through that area, and we thought maybe it could have been an injured mountain biker,” said Tresnich.
“While half the team prepped to comb the woods on foot, the rest covered nearby forest roads. Then we found him: a lone camper, singing his heart out to the trees,” said a COSAR post to social media.
It says the man was “blissfully unaware” of the acoustics in the area and the effect his voice was having.
“He was surprised and that he was a little apologetic. He didn’t quite realise that was going on,” said Tresnich.
He says the man was totally safe and offered the volunteers a beer as compensation — which was politely declined.
The volunteer service thanked the people who reported the “singing,” noting it’s better to be safe than sorry in what could have been a more serious situation.
“If you hear something that you think that somebody’s calling for help or they need help, call 911,” Tresnich added.
“Our services are always free. And the money you save could be spent on singing lessons,” said COSAR.
—With files from Srushti Gangdev
