Comox Valley First Responders Conduct Extremely Complicated Rescue

First responders in the Comox Valley area say a rescue conducted Tuesday morning was one of the most complicated they’ve ever had to undertake, and certainly involved the largest number of rescued subjects.

First responders in the Comox Valley area say a rescue conducted Tuesday morning was one of the most complicated they’ve ever had to undertake, and certainly involved the largest number of rescued subjects.

The drama began shortly after 10:30 a.m. when two women from Parksville, B.C., were kayaking along the Courtenay River. One of the kayakers reportedly flipped and then re-righted herself before she and another kayaker then became trapped up against some logs in the river.

Dan Walden was with five other people paddling in an outrigger canoe on the river when they heard the women call for help.

The group paddled over to assist the kayakers before they themselves ran into difficulties.

The outrigger portion of the canoe became stuck under one of the logs, trapping the six people in the canoe with the other two women.

The Courtenay Fire Department was first upon the scene, in the area of the Courtenay Airpark.

Firefighters saw the eight paddlers stuck up against the logs, according to deputy fire Chief Jonathan Welsh.

Firefighters were situated along the bank of the river to set up a containment area should any of the boaters run into further difficulties.

Members of Comox Valley Search and Rescue arrived at the scene and used a motorized riverboat to extract the two kayakers, and then three members of the canoe before it became light enough to become un-lodged.

The search team often warns the public about the dangers of wood debris in rivers in the area, as does Adventure Smart BC through its online programs.

The incident wrapped up in just under three hours without any injuries.