UPDATE: RCMP have taken over the investigation of a fatal boating accident in the northern section of B.C.’s Georgia Strait. The victim has now been identified as 38-year-old Jordan Patrick Beaudoin from Sechelt.
Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Paul Tasker confirms a body found Sunday evening off the shores of Texada Island is that of a missing Metro Vancouver man.
Cst. Tim Kenning of the Powell River RCMP says the couple is from Sechelt, and they left Half Moon Bay on Saturday for a day of fishing.
Both were dressed for the weather and are in their late 30s to early 40s.
“The female spent a significant time in the water, but was able to make it to shore, but her spouse didn’t make it to shore, he succumbed to the water and the cold and was later found on the beach on Texada Island,” says Cst. Kenning.
“When she got to shore, she made it to a cabin on Texada Island, where a phone call was made to search and rescue.”
The woman has since been released from hospital. Her identity has not yet been released.
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A woman remains in hospital in Powell River recovering from a terrifying weekend ordeal.
Coast guard crews have now spotted what they believe is a body after a boat carrying the woman and a man capsized in the Strait of Georgia Saturday night, according to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
The 16-foot power vessel ran into trouble at around 9:30 p.m. while travelling to the mainland in bad weather.
The woman managed to escape the sinking vessel and spent six hours swimming to the shore of Texada Island.
Once on land, the severely hypothermic woman spent hours looking for help. She finally found a home and knocked on the door for help at around 2:20 p.m. Sunday, according to rescue crews.
“It was reported that the vessel overturned at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night,” said Lt. Paul Pendergrast from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. “And the adult female was in the water for several hours and made it to shore and the report came in at 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.”
“It took some time to make it to a telephone and call in a report.”
The Coast guard hovercraft and air search crews canvassed the area looking for any sign of the boat and the man.
They spotted what is believed to be a body at around 7 p.m. and suspended the search.
The woman’s condition is currently unknown.
~ with files from CP
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