2 people rescued, man still missing after boat capsizes on Vancouver Island
Two people were rescued and one man is still missing after a fishing boat capsized Thursday night in a remote region of Vancouver Island.
A mayday call was issued for the capsized eight-metre sport-fishing boat at the mouth of Nitinat Narrows at approximately 8:45 p.m., according to the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria.
Mounties and members of the Ditidaht First Nation had already arrived at a boat ramp where civilian vessels were being launched in an effort to respond to the emergency, according to the RCMP.
A coast guard fast-recovery boat from Bamfield, B.C., picked up one survivor, while another was spotted by a U.S. coast guard helicopter out of Port Angeles, Wash.
The second victim was recovered by the Canadians and both survivors were taken to paramedics in Port Renfrew, B.C., approximately 35 kilometres away.
An RCMP helicopter was still searching for the missing man Friday, while Parks Canada rescuers conducted a land search around the narrows.
"The Lake Cowichan RCMP want to thank all of the volunteers and partners who immediately offered to assist, and continue to so," said RCMP Sgt. Chris Manseau in a statement Friday.
"Their efforts, local knowledge and ability to jump in at a moment's notice to assist in situations like this are truly appreciated," Manseau added.
Nitinat Narrows is a tidal channel between Nitinat Lake and the Pacific Ocean where currents are often strong and unpredictable. The area is part of the West Coast Trail section of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Parks Canada says the marine forecast for the region Thursday predicted two- to three-metre waves and winds ranging from 20 to 30 knots.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen the boat before it capsized Thursday to contact investigators at 250-749-6668.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured including toddler, after Hwy. 417 crash in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.