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A rescue mission was mounted Friday afternoon for 4 RCMP officers who got stranded on a remote island in the Athabasca River.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Friday June 12, 2015, about 30 kilometres northwest of Whitecourt.
Four on-duty officers were travelling in an RCMP jet boat, while on patrol. The boat capsized but all four officers were able to make to shore where they radioed for help.
All four officers were safely returned after co-ordinated efforts between the RCMP, Whitecourt fire, Associated Ambulance and Alberta Forestry were successfully executed.
Troy Dufort, Whitecourt’s deputy fire chief, said boats were put in the river to search for the capsized boat while an Alberta Forestry helicopter and a rappel team verified that the officers were okay.
Alberta Forestry assisted in returning the stranded officers to the Forestry tanker base located at Whitecourt’s airport where they were met by fellow officers and Associated Ambulance paramedics.
According to the RCMP no serious injuries were reported although the officers were assessed medically.
Sgt. Josée Valiquette, RCMP media relations, said it’s too early to know what happened and there’s going to be a review on this matter as there would be in any incident involving a vehicle or vessel.
“There could be many factors,” Valiquette said. “We’re happy to report the officers are okay and they’re working on the recovery of the vessel.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
