Two men were sent to the hospital and three men lost their lives after a clam fishing incident in rural B.C.
Powell River and Texada Island RCMP shared some details about the incident, which occurred on May 21.
According to the RCMP, at around 11 p.m. on May 21, Powell River RCMP received a report from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) about a capsized boat.
The JRCC informed RCMP that the boat “had capsized approximately 500 to 1000 metres off the shore of Savary Island.”
The report stated that two men had made it to shore while three were still missing.
“Earlier that evening, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the JRCC had been alerted when the personal vessel failed to return to Lund Harbour as expected,” Powell River RCMP said.
In response to that alert, RCMP says that search and rescue personnel were “immediately deployed.” The response included a Powell River Coast Guard lifeboat, an inshore fast rescue craft from Cortez Bay and an Airforce Kingfisher aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron based in Comox.”
After a coordinated response between Powell River RCMP and Savary Island Fire, the three missing men were located deceased.
“The two survivors were transported back to Powell River where they were assessed and transported to hospital by Emergency Health Services (EHS),” RCMP added.
Powell River RCMP is now assisting the BC Coroners Service with the ongoing investigation into the B.C. fishing incident.
RCMP has not yet shared any details on the causes of death or other factors that may have been involved.