For the second time this year, Lake Cowichan RCMP are warning those spending time the Valley’s waterways, to do so carefully. This comes after a river rescue May 13, of a Victoria man, his sister, and her two daughters, a month after 58-year-old William Shearer, fell into the Cowichan River on April 13. He has yet to be located, despite an exhaustive search by numerous groups.
Hobday says Lake Cowichan RCMP say would like to thank “Cowichan Valley Search and Rescue, Kenzie of Kenzie’s Fishing Adventures, RCMP Air Services, RCMP Vancouver Island Underwater Recovery Team, and all of the property owners on the Cowichan River whose river front property was utilized by the Police Divers to conduct their river search for Mr. William Shearer.”
As summer is fast approaching, the Lake Cowichan RCMP would like to remind everyone that life jackets and personal flotation devices are recommended when around the water.
Lake Cowichan fire department Fire Chief Doug Knott says he never recommends tubing down the river, and that tubers pose more and more of a problem for the department each year.
The department does not currently have the proper equipment to help with any rescue operations that occur on the river, but they are in the midst of planning a fundrasing event this summer. They are looking to purchase a boat and other rescue equipment.