A fisherman, who’s canoe overturned, is safe and sound thanks to Quesnel Search and Rescue!
President Bob Zimmerman says they were called out to Hush Lake, just north of Quesnel on Highway 97, yesterday (Monday) afternoon just after 3 o’clock.
“A citizen came upon the canoe and noted the overturned canoe and subject, and that citizen called the RCMP. The fisherman managed to drift to a swampy area on the west side of the lake holding onto his canoe.”
Zimmerman says RCMP were able to get through the swamp on foot to administer first aid to the man, and he says one of their six members on scene was then able to get him out man.
“The kayak pilot, one of the QSAR volunteers, was able to reach the subject and with the assistance of the RCMP they moved the subject into the kayak and he was transported back to the waiting BCEHS ambulance at the dock. The fisherman was showing signs of hypothermia but survived.”
Zimmerman says it is not common for their group to be called out to a flat water call.
“If t’s a bigger lake there are other people around and they just jump in boats and go rescue the person right away, but in this case here Hush Lake of course is a solitary lake.”
Zimmerman says the fact that the man was wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) definitely saved his life.
“He was able to hold onto the canoe and I think the wind probably drifted him to the side of the lake. But he was suffering from, he was in the water so long in the cold and he couldn’t swim, so that’s why he had to stay with the canoe.”
Zimmerman says it was a quick rescue as they were on scene within around 20 minutes, and they left after just 16 minutes.
