Alcohol was believed to be involved in Saturday’s collision between a jet ski and a power boat on McIvor Lake.
Police say it is not certain if drinking played a factor in the incident, according to an RCMP news release.
McIvor Lake is a popular spot about 10 kilometres west of Campbell River for swimming, fishing and boating.
Campbell River RCMP has provided more details of what happened on Saturday afternoon. Early investigation shows the two vessels were approaching each other when the power boat started to move out of the way, but the operator of the jet ski did not see the manoeuvre. The power boat driver veered sharply but could not get out of the way in time, as the jet ski struck it. The accident caused the power boat to sink, sending six people into the water. The children were found to be wearing life jackets but the adults were not.
RCMP responded to the scene about 4:30 p.m. The Campbell River Fire Department also sent crews to attend to patients until BC Ambulance could arrive. An Emergency Medical Services helicopter was also dispatched.
Police say it was fortunate there were no fatalities or serious injuries from the crash. The jet ski driver suffered only minor scrapes and bruises.
Campbell River RCMP with the assistance of the RCMP West Coast Marine Services Vessel Collision Investigator are continuing to investigate. Both vessels were removed from the water and seized for the investigation. Any charges considered at this time would fall under the Canada Shipping Act.
Police had been patrolling McIvor Lake in a vessel on the weekend and setting road blocks for checks.
“Two separate patrol shifts on the lake during the weekend of this collision generated 15 and 20 violation notices prior to the collision,” Cpl. Ron Vlooswyk of the Campbell River RCMP said. “The majority of the infractions are for not having life jackets and not having a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.”
In Canada, approximately 100 people die each year in boating-related incidents. The Campbell River RCMP ask all boaters, including paddle boarders and kayakers, to be vigilant on the water and remind power boat operators that drinking and operating boats is the same as impaired driving under the Criminal Code.
