Kayackers capsize in fast-moving creek

Some boaters found out how dangerous Mission Creek in Kelowna can be at this time of year.

RCMP notified Kelowna Fire Dispatch of three overturned kayaks in the creek close to Ziprick Road around 1:20 p.m. Thursday (April 22).

The fire department activated its Swift Water Rescue Team to assist police with a search of the area for any possible persons still in the creek.

“Units were dispatched to downstream locations and a search of the creek was started with the assistance of the RCMP helicopter,” platoon captain Dennis Miller said. “During the search we received notification that all three persons were able to exit the creek on their own.”

Miller said one of the kayakers was able to get to shore on his own. The second overturned boat was retrieved by the Kelowna Swift Water Team and the third boat remains in the creek close to Creekside and Graham Road.

“The third kayak was left as the water in that area is too dangerous for our team to remove it,” Miller added.

The fire captain reminds everyone that Mission Creek is very dangerous this time of year for any type of water craft and they ask people to stay off it.