Three rescued after boat capsizes on Stuart Lake near Sowchea Bay
FORT ST. JAMES — Three people were rescued after a small vessel capsized and sank near Sowchea Bay on Stuart Lake on July 7, according to Fort St. James RCMP.
Police responded to a marine rescue involving a 17.5-foot boat that overturned and sank in the lake. When officers arrived, one adult man was still in the water, while a second adult and a child had already managed to reach shore safely.
Before emergency responders arrived, nearby residents who heard cries for help quickly launched their own boat and went to assist those involved. The man in the water had reportedly been stranded for approximately 90 minutes and was unable to climb aboard the assisting vessel. He remained afloat by holding onto debris from the sunken boat while waiting for rescuers.
RCMP officers aboard a police vessel eventually located the man and brought him safely onboard. Officers then travelled to shore, where they picked up the second adult and the child before transporting all three individuals to Pitka Bay.
