By rdnewsNOW staff

Found Safe

Breton RCMP activate Search and Rescue to locate four overdue boaters

Sep 15, 2020 | 4:48 PM

RCMP is reminding anyone venturing into the Alberta wilderness to pre-plan and follow recommended safety precautions before heading out.

On Sept. 11, Breton RCMP coordinated search efforts with Parkland County, Brazeau County, Town of Whitecourt and Rocky Mountain House after four adults were reported overdue from a boating excursion.

Mounties say the Wetaskiwin County Peace Officer, Conservation and Parkland RCMP Detachment boats were all utilized to assist.

Three adult females were said to have departed Rocky Mountain House in a Zodiac boat with the intention of arriving at the Drayton Valley bridge on Sept. 13.

At 5:00 p.m. that day, an adult male was dropped off near the North Saskatchewan River with the intention of locating the females at the site where they activated a SPOT beacon ping. At that time, police say communications were lost and there was no cell phone coverage in the area.

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By 8:16 p.m. that evening, neither the male, nor the three females had returned to the area where the male was dropped off, and RCMP were contacted to assist. Mounties say EPS Air 1 was deployed to help, however poor weather conditions required it to terminate.

In the early morning of Sept. 14, with the assistance of a family member, RCMP coordinated with several different detachments and Search and Rescue teams. The four adults were eventually located at 3:00 p.m., in two different locations near the North Saskatchewan River.

The females were in possession of a SPOT beacon which was instrumental in assisting the experienced Search and Rescue teams in locating them. The male was safely located approximately three kilometres away, while all adults were deemed to be unharmed.

RCMP thanks all partner agencies who assisted, and acknowledge the pre-planning implemented by the boaters which led to a focused and effective search.

Police say they had a shared plan, followed it, had appropriate gear for the weather and were in possession of safety equipment.