A 20-year-old Salmon Arm woman remains in hospital in stable condition after being injured in what RCMP report as an accidental shooting while camping on Mt. Ida on Saturday night.
At approximately 9:10 p.m., RCMP responded to a call for assistance regarding the injured woman, who was camping in a remote area of the mountain with a group of people.
The terrain was extremely difficult to access and the woman could only be reached by 4x4 or ATV. Shuswap Search and Rescue was called in, along with BC Ambulance to assist with the situation.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the woman had been shot in the back, and they immediately assisted with transporting her down the mountain to a waiting ambulance.
Sgt. Carlos Tettolowski, of the Salmon Arm RCMP says officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm. The people involved in the incident were all known to each other and were camping together.
He told the Observer that alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the incident.
"We are still speaking with those involved and may be looking charges depending on the outcome of our investigation," he said, adding that the young woman underwent surgery in Kelowna General Hospital to remove the bullet and is in stable condition.
"We do not believe that her injuries are life threatening. She is very lucky."