Photo: Quesnel Search and Rescue

By CKPG Today

Overdue kayakers

Two overdue kayakers rescued on Cottonwood River

Sep 2, 2025 | 3:23 PM

QUESNEL — It was a busy weekend for search and rescue teams in the Quesnel area.

At the request of the Quesnel RCMP, Quesnel Search and Rescue was pressed into action when two adult male kayakers went missing overnight Saturday.

Quesnel Search and Rescue Manager Bob Zimmerman says the men embarked on their journey at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon on the Cottonwood River and had planned to come out at the Old Prince George Highway Bridge.

But due to dangerous conditions in the river, along with the fact they were using lake water kayaks instead of swift water kayaks, they stored their kayaks at the side of the river with the goal of hiking back to safety.

With the help of Prince George Search and Rescue and Central Cariboo Search and Rescue though, the men were located at around 10 a.m. Monday morning unharmed (Sept.1).

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In light of this incident, Quesnel Search and Rescue is advising people to not go downstream of the Highway 97 Cottonwood Bridge due to hazardous conditions.