A pair of Mounties, one from West Âé¶čAV and the other Âé¶čAV, conducting boat patrols on Sunday say âa real tragedy was avoidedâ on the waters of Okanagan Lake when the officers located two youths adrift in the midst of strong gusty winds.
Officers heading south on Okanagan Lake, towards Peachland, July 23 at approximately 2:30 p.m., located two youths floating across the lake on an inexpensive rubber dinghy.â
âThe pair were fishing together along the shoreline when sudden strong winds, gusting up to approximately 50 km/hr, pushed the boys into the middle of the lake, an estimated half a kilometer from the shore,â said Cpl. Jesse OâDonaghey, in a press release.
Both the 12-year-old and 13-year-old boys were safely brought on board the RCMP vessel and transported back to the beach in Peachland, where their parents were notified of the mishap.
âOur officers took the time to discuss the peril the youths had placed themselves in,â said OâDonaghey.
âThose officers wanted to remind the public to ensure they are always prepared when they venture out on the water, that they wear proper life jackets, bring a sound signalling device or other means of communication, as well as carry a means of propulsion such as a paddle or oar if at all possible.â
