UPDATE: 9 p.m.
Eight people were safely brought to shore after high winds left two boats in distress on Wood Lake.
Lake Country Fire Department Captain Peter Whitfield said crews were called to a report of two boats in distress on Wood Lake at 7:32 p.m. The department’s marine rescue boat was called out to assist.
Upon arrival they discovered one boat with four occupants had already been safely towed to shore with the help of staff at the Turtle Bay Marina.
The second boat was caught on a sandbar off of the Kokanee Beach Resort due to high winds.
Whitfield says two-foot waves were reported in the region.
High winds picked up in the area early Sunday evening, whipping up whitecaps on area lakes, knocking down tress and power lines in the Shuswap and causing chaos in Revelstoke.
“The boat operator said he turned the boat and got a big wave over the bow that submerged the boat on the sandbar,” said Whitfield.
All four occupants of that boat also safely made it to shore.
Lake Country fire crews repaired a small fuel leak on the second boat that remains partially submerged sitting on the sand bar.
Whitfield said the second boat has been secured at the sandbar and it will be safely removed by the owner when the weather allows.
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ORIGINAL: 8 p.m.
Multiple people were reportedly rescued Sunday evening after at least one boat sank on Wood Lake.
Early reports indicate emergency personnel were called to reports of two boats sinking on Wood Lake off of the Turtle Bay Marina area.
At least two people on Sea Doos rushed to the scene and helped rescue all those on board.
High winds picked up in the area early Sunday evening whipping up whitecaps on area lakes and knocking down tress and power lines in the Shuswap.
The Lake Country Fire Department is still gathering details, but confirmed that at least one boat did sink and that everyone safely made it to shore.
More to come.
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