PENTICTON, BC – On Friday July 2nd, 2010, at 12:18, the Penticton RCMP was dispatched to a plane crash in the Apex Mtn area adjacent to the Apex Mtn Ski Resort, with both occupants walking away with bruises and no persons injured on the ground.

A 35 yr old Kelowna man was operating the Cessna 172, accompanied by a 28 yr old male friend from Thornhill Ontario, when the pilot attempted an emergency landing, striking trees and row of condo homes. The Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade were the first responders who assisted the two men and rendered the crash site safe. There was no fire involved in the crash, however fire crews made efforts to contain leaking fuel from the aircraft’s fuel tanks. BC Ambulance Services also attended with the males being examined and released at the scene with bruises and sore muscles.

“The plane descended and struck some trees just at the very end of a row of condominiums, which knocked the trees into the roof of the building, damaging the roof of the structure. The plane itself then struck the ground beside the building on it’s side crushing the left wing. These two gentleman can thank their lucky stars today for walking away with only very minor injuries. We are also fortunate and thankful that nobody on the ground was injured” stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

“The Penticton RCMP will assist Transport Canada, who will lead the investigation into the causal factors of the crash.” added Cpl Dan Moskaluk.