One Dead, Eight Injured in Boat Collision

By 250 News

Chase, B.C.- One man is dead following a head on collision  between  a Campion runabout and a houseboat on  Shuswap Lake. 

The Chase RCMP along with the North Shuswap First Responders including, the Anglemont Volunteer Fire Dept, BC Ambulance and Chase Fire Rescue attended to the report of a tragic boating collision late Saturday evening, shortly after calls from residents were received at 11:20 pm, near Magna Bay, on Shuswap Lake near Chase.

An 18ft Campion "runabout" collided head on with a 40 foot houseboat, shortly after a number of boaters had begun to disperse after the viewing of a fireworks display.

"The collision vaulted the Campion directly into the main cabin portion of the house boat where it came to a rest, completely embedding itself into the interior of the houseboat.  Other boaters in the area assisted immediately and rendered first aid to the occupants of the

houseboat and speedboat.  The two vessels were then towed into shore by those assisting where first responders met them". 

"We can confirm that there were 13 people on board the privately owned houseboat and three persons on the speedboat at the time of the collision.  The operator of the houseboat, a 53 yr old man from Anglemont BC died in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Approximately eight others were injured as a result of the collision.  All injured were transported to the Royal Inlands Hospital in Kamloops, two of which were admitted and remain there today.  The injuries sustained, ranged from minor bruises to fractures and head injuries" stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

Both boats have been secured and plans are underway to have the vessels removed from the lake for physical examination. The Chase RCMP Detachment is being assisted by Central Interior Traffic Services from Kamloops and the Southeast District Reconstructionist.  Investigators from Transport Canada and the RCMP West Coast Marine Services are also attending to assist.  The Chase RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are continuing their investigation into this incident in order to determine how the collision occurred.   

"The Chase RCMP Victim Assistance Personnel was also called out to help, given the traumatic stress that a high casualty incident such as this causes to the direct victims, to the general public who rendered assistance in the first instance and to our emergency services crews who responded."  

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