Search Will Continue Overnight For Two Missing After Jet Boat Mishap
Search and Rescue boat prepared to head out on the Willow River, while ambulance stand-by
Prince George, BC – Searchers will continue to scan the Willow River overnight as two remain missing following a jet boating accident that occurred earlier this evening.
Police say four people were on-board the vessel when it capsized on the river, east of Prince George. Two people were able to make it to safety, two women remain missing.
The RCMP had a plane flying the length of the river while daylight permitted. And Prince George Search & Rescue Coordinator, Jeff Smedley, says 15 searchers, five jet boats, and a helicopter spent the evening conducting an extensive search.
Smedley says searchers have set up for downstream containment – they’ve set up lights on a bridge downstream from where the accident occurred and will be scanning the river through the night.
Residents living in the Willow River area say the river is running very high and fast at this time.
Comments
When down at the mouth of the willow there was about 14 jet boats all going up the willow at the same time about 2:30 today. They were all going hard and in a big gourp. I can see how this can happen. I was told jet boat accidents have happened a few times up river trying to jump log jams. Very sad I hope they will be found that is very cold water. I didn,t see the search helicopter until about 6:30pm.
The Willow is unforgiving. I stay away from that river. Bad log jams very dangerous. Brother in law was out last night, I hope he wasn’t involved.
In water that cold it doesn’t matter whether you can swim or float – if you don’t get out within a few minutes hypothermia will get you. I hope the two ladies made it, but I’m afraid that unless they managed to get out of the water quickly there is very little chance of survival.
“if you don’t get out within a few minutes hypothermia will get you”
Not true at all.
1 minute to get past cold shock and get your breathing under control (wearing a PFD is critically important and it’s too late if you’re not wearing it in advance); 10 minutes to get out of the water until you lose mobility (muscles stop working); 1 hour until you become unconscious and soon perish (heart muscle can’t work due to cold) if you don’t manage to get out of the water.
http://outdoorottawa.com/2011/01/cold-water-survival-the-1101-rule/
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