Police have tracked down the driver of a motor boat that allegedly hit an "Indigenous racing canoe" at Cultus Lake last week, which sent one woman to hospital.
Chilliwack RCMP were alerted to the incident around 10:15 am on Wednesday, July 29.
According to Rick Joe on Facebook, his wife was in the canoe that was struck and the driver of the boat fled the scene as soon as witnesses came over to help.
“The person operating the canoe was transported to hospital, treated for injuries and later released,” says Cst. Lucian Mares
Although officers couldn’t locate the motor boat upon arrival, they were able to identify the alleged operator and eventually track him down.
The 67-year-old Langley man has now been charged with operating a vessel without due care or consideration for other persons under the Canada shipping Act Small Vessel Regulation.
“Water ways are busy with visitors from around our region sharing the outdoors in a variety of means,” says Cpl. Mike Rail.
“Safety remains our priority and we encourage everyone to be respectful and aware of others sharing the area.”
On Facebook, Joe shared photos of multiple groups of people who helped him and his wife out that day, which included getting her and her canoe to shore, as well as providing witness statements to police.
