A drowning victim was revived and her three friends nearly ended up as fatalities as well, but all lived to be the season's first examples of what high water and no lifejackets can do.
Police and other safety officials urge the public to learn from four youths who nearly lost their lives on the Kiskatinaw River near Dawson Creek - in fact one technically did.
"[Bystanders at Kiskatinaw River Park] rescued a non-responsive female from the river," said Dawson Creek RCMP Sgt. Scott West. "Two tubes were seen floating in the river just before the female was pulled from the water. The tubes were empty."
The female was not breathing. The bystanders immediately began CPR and in time the efforts worked to restart her vital functions.
By the time paramedics arrived she was breathing on her own. Before she was transported to hospital, she told an off-duty Mountie who came to help that her husband and two other young men had also gone into the river.
Police, Search and Rescue, the Taylor Fire Department and BC Ambulance personnel launched a search effort.
About 45 minutes later, said West, "a male emerged from the bush." He was one of the missing tubers. He managed to swim to shore "and hiked out in his bare feet."
Searchers on the river spotted the remaining victims stranded on a sandbar.
"[They were] knee deep in water in the river canyon."
A helicopter descended to them and pulled them to safety. Three of the four - all in their 20s - required hospital treatment.
None of them had a lifejacket and, said West, "the female may have been knocked unconscious when the inner tubes flipped over in the fast-moving current."
He credited the bystanders at the park for probably saving the female victim's life.
TUBING A POPULAR P.G. ACTIVITY
Prince George likes to laze on the river on hot summer days. It has started already, this spring.
"I saw a lot of boats at the boat launch, I know there was a lot of river use in the last couple of days," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "It is good to have a reminder that lifejackets should be worn. Things happen beyond your control and beyond what you expect, so it is best to be prepared."
The Nechako River Float was, for the past two years, a particularly popular floatie event. Hundreds of people blew up the tubes and mattresses and let the current carry them - all in one mass - from Wilkins Park to Cottonwood Island Park.
"I have heard of no plans to hold it again, but if it happens I am sure our response will be much the same as it was last time," said Douglass.
Police, Prince George Search and Rescue, the Prince George Riverboat Association and other safety stakeholders invested time and attention to make sure the event happened without incident.
No one should ever take a boat trip or floatie trip on any river or lake without properly wearing a lifejacket at all times, said Douglass.
The Canadian Red Cross has some additional safety material, learned from years of experience saving lives on the water.
BOATING AND FLOATING: YOU JUST GOTTA
- Wear a life jacket at all times;
- Tell someone on shore who is in the group, where you will be going, when you will be back;
- a bailer (like a bucket);
- oars/paddles;
- whistle (one that floats);
- fire extinguisher (for motor boats);
- consider also: first aid kit, waterproof matches, extra paddle, anchor, extra line, tool kit, spare parts, charts, compass, radio, food/water.
