The Coast Guard hovercraft Moytel was one of several vessels, including a BC ferry, called to search the waters off Gambier Island as part of a marine emergency Wednesday afternoon. photo supplied DFO
It was a sad end to an emergency that resulted in several Coast Guard vessels and a BC ferry being called to assist in the waters off Gambier Island Wednesday afternoon.
The Coast Guard hovercraft Moytel, oceanographic vessel John P. Tully and Coast Guard auxiliary crew based in Gibsons were all called out in Howe Sound after an emergency was called in to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria just after 5 p.m.
Witnesses reported an ATV being driven by a 90-year-old Gambier Island man on the New Brighton public dock somehow reversed, flipped over a barrier and fell into the waters of Howe Sound, said Const. Karen Whitby of the Sunshine Coast RCMP.
In addition to the Coast Guard, the ferry Queen of Surrey — which had left Horseshoe Bay on its way to Langdale at 4:20 p.m. — was called in to assist with the search. A helicopter and RCMP dive team were also called in.
The dive team found the Gambier man’s body, partially trapped by the ATV, in about 19 feet of water, said Whitby.
The man’s family has been notified and the case has been turned over to the coroner’s office.
