Mystery solved: Woman comes forward after overturned kayak prompts search in Nanaimo
A woman says she's embarrassed but grateful after her overturned kayak was reported to police, prompting a search by first responders in Nanaimo, B.C.
The kayak was discovered in the Nanaimo River on Tuesday, leading to a search by firefighters, police, and a medical helicopter.
Nanaimo RCMP asked the public for tips on who the kayak may have belonged to on Wednesday, after Mounties said no missing persons reports were filed in nearby jurisdictions.
On Thursday, police said the owner of the kayak had come forward.
"I am so embarrassed but yet extremely grateful to know that there are so many first responders who are trained and ready to respond to these kinds of situations," said Allison Wasserman, according to the Nanaimo RCMP.
Mounties say Wasserman came forward on Wednesday evening after she had heard people were searching for the owner of the kayak.
The woman said she was kayaking on the river with her family when she lost control and flipped.
She was able to exit the river with some cuts and bruises, but was unable to retrieve the kayak since it became lodged in some log boons, according to RCMP.
The family had intended to return to the area on Wednesday when river levels were scheduled to fall, Wasserman told Nanaimo RCMP.
Before that happened though, the overturned kayak was reported to emergency services.
"I realize now that I should have reported it but with everything happening it just slipped my mind," she told the RCMP.
"I would though like to extend a heartfelt thank you and a sincere apology to all of the first responders who attended," said Wasserman. "I have learned a valuable lesson."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.