Fisherman dies after falling into frigid Capilano River
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2019 03:04:09 +0000
A salmon fisherman has died after being pulled from the frigid Capilano River by firefighters on Sunday afternoon.
According to District of North Vancouver Fire Services deputy chief Wayne Kennedy, emergency services were called to the river — just below the Capilano River Salmon Hatchery — just before 1 p.m. by several fishers reporting two people in the water.
“When (we) arrived we had a lot of witnesses that were telling our crews one was swept down river and was unaccounted for and one was able to climb back up the river bank and to safety,” Kennedy said.
“We quickly deployed people down both sides of the river and our boat into the water.”
Kennedy said the victim was located shortly after and taken out of the water. He was then transported by stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Sgt. Peter DeVries said the man was fishing at Cable Pool with three friends when he decided to cross the river.
“When the man lost his footing, one of his friends went in after him but was unable to reach him before the man was swept out of view,” DeVries said.
B.C. Emergency Health Services spokesperson Caeli Turner said three ambulances — including an advanced care unit — were dispatched to the scene.
Two people were taken to hospital, one in critical condition, following a rescue along the Capilano River in North Vancouver on Sunday afternoon.
Kennedy said District of North Vancouver firefighters were aided by West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and North Shore Search and Rescue were on standby.
On Sunday afternoon there were several people fishing on shore and off rocks in the narrow canyon.
“It’s another reminder for us, when you’re out enjoying the river to keep your personal safety in mind,” Kennedy said. “For the fisherman here today the use of a personal flotation device could have been a difference maker for the result that we had.”
The man, in his 30s, died at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
Fishers south of the Capilano River Hatchery in North Vancouver on Sunday Oct. 27, 2019. A fisherman is in serious condition after falling into the river.
Fishers south of the Capilano River Hatchery in North Vancouver on Sunday Oct. 27, 2019. A fisherman is in serious condition after falling into the river.
with files from Scott Brown