Seven stranded fishermen rescued on Capilano river ‘had no exit plan’: crews

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Seven fishermen trapped on a sandbar by rapidly rising water were rescued on the Capilano River Saturday, and crews say one man nearly drowned when he tried to make his own way back to shore.

District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services was first called out to the water under the Highway 1 overpass around 9 a.m., according to Assistant Chief David Dales.

“The water had come up to a level that it was well over chest-deep to get back to the sides of the river where they’d come from, so they were basically trapped on the sandbar,” he explains.

“But fishing was good, so they wanted to stay and wait it out.”

That rescue was called off since the anglers weren’t in distress, although Dales notes they weren’t wearing lifejackets and “had no exit plan.”

By 2 p.m. things had gotten worse.

“We went back to the river to check on these guys, and they were still stuck and the water had continued to rise. So now they were actually really stuck,” Dales says.

“While we were setting up to formulate a plan one of the group of seven decided to make his way across the river and in full view of us he almost drowned. He made it across — but barely.”

Our Fire Fighters heavily supported by @WestVanFireDept are conducting a swift water rescue on the Capilano River under the Hwy 1 overpass. Please be aware of high water in or near our local rivers. pic.twitter.com/Ztn1pGuEVL

— DNV Fire Rescue Services (@DNVFRS) October 10, 2020

Dales says the rescue shows how swiftly things can change, and how important it is to be prepared.

By the time the six remaining men were safely ashore, the water had risen to a dangerous height.

“It was a very technical rescue, the water was well above five feet high,” Dales notes.

“The river is a dangerous environment. It’s not a lake, it’s a river. We tell everyone, ‘If you’re going to come to the North Shore, if you’re going to enjoy the environment — have a plan.'”

Crucial safety precautions include having a lifejacket, a light, and a helmet.

“Be aware of water levels because it might be sunny where you are but 2 kilometres up the river it could be pouring,” he says.

“If it’s raining upstream and you’re not paying attention the water level will rise and you’ll get trapped.”