Campbell River Search and Rescue located two overdue canoeists safe and sound on Pye Lake last night.
At 1:40 a.m., Sayward RCMP contacted Campbell River Search & Rescue to assist in locating two persons overdue from a fishing trip on Pye Lake north of Campbell River.
The father and son had left their campsite on the west side of Pye Lake in a canoe. When they hadn’t returned by dark a family member drove south to cell coverage and reported them overdue.
Campbell River Search and Rescue responded and launched two ridged hulled inflatable boats. They then proceeded to the east side of the lake where the couple were last seen at about 8 p.m. Thursday night.
The unoccupied canoe was quickly located in lakeshore shallows but it had been swamped. A quick search of the adjacent shoreline revealed the two fishers. They were chilled and wet but otherwise uninjured.
"In this situation the outcome was one of a little inconvenience for some and an adventure story to tell for others," said Glen Quarmby, search manager for Campbell River Search and Rescue. "If the couple had not been wearing their personal floatation devices the outcome would likely be much worse. Please wear a personal floatation device at all times when boating."