Two kayakers are lucky to have escaped serious injury after a man allegedly rolled a large rock log directly above them, hitting them both, according to Nanaimo RCMP.
The kayakers, a 43-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, were paddling in the waters off Jessie Island near the entrance to Departure Bay Beach at around 6.45pm on Saturday August 6 when it happened.
The pair told police they were exploring rock features when the man appeared on the island above them. After a short conversation they continued paddling and a few minutes later they heard a commotion and looked up to see the same man pushing a large log off the rock.
“The loggerhead hit the kayaker in the back with enough force to throw her out of her kayak and into the ocean waters,” Nanaimo RCMP said in a statement.
“The struck log also hit her companion. He managed to stay upright in his kayak and helped his friend to shore, where several witnesses called the police and reported the incident.
Mounties, with the assistance of a Nanaimo Port Authority vessel, went to the island and arrested a 37-year-old man who is facing a charge of assault with a weapon. He has since been released from custody on a promise to appear in court on November 9, 2022.
None of the kayakers were seriously injured.
The wooden log was about 20 feet long and eight inches in diameter, according to police.
“It was a freak accident and given the size and weight of the log and the distance it fell, the log could have caused serious injury to both of them,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP
Police say they are continuing to investigate the incident.
Editorial Policies Report an error
Add Comment