With fishing and camping season upon us, Kitimat Search and Rescue have been busy – and are warning users that conditions can change quickly on the river- requiring extra caution.
On July 3rd at 9:40am, the RCMP tasked Kitimat Search and Rescue with assisting two fishermen stranded on an island in the lower Kitimat River.
Kitimat Search and Rescue say 10 volunteers responded to the call.
Responders say a rescue team of four members deployed by rescue boat, while additional members provided support from shore. And a command team coordinated the response from across the river to ensure effective communication and safe operations.
Reportedly, two fishermen had been caught off guard by rising river levels and were unable to safely leave the island. Both individuals were successfully reached and transported to safety by approximately 10:40 a.m.
Kitimat Search and Rescue remind the public that even if it’s not raining hard to temperatures aren’t high, conditions on the Kitimat River are constantly changing.
They say river levels can rise with little warning, making islands and gravel bars unsafe.