Two young ladies from Vancouver were sent to hospital after the inner tube they were riding in collided with another boat on Christina Lake.
The accident occurred on Sunday at around 4 p.m. when the boat the ladies were riding behind swerved to avoid another boat.
“The two females, who were sisters-in-law, were on the tube behind a boat,” said Staff Sgt. John Harrison of Grand Forks RCMP. “They were doing approximately 50 km/h when another boat approached. The two vessels, as they approached, both altered course. One to port side, one to starboard. In other words – left and right, which put them directly on a collision course. The boats managed to miss each other. The tube which the two women were on struck the side of the oncoming boat.”
The 24 year-old had minor injuries, while the 31 year-old suffered two broken arms including a compound fracture.
“She was subsequently taken to Kelowna General Hospital by helicopter,” said Harrison. “She was put into an induced coma because of her head injuries. That’s the last we’ve heard. She’s in very serious condition.”
Harrison said the matter is still under investigation. Alcohol was not a factor. The boat which was pulling the two women was rented. All parties involved were from the Vancouver area.
“At this point, our investigation appears to indicate that both drivers were probably inexperienced in operating a motor vessel and the operations and rules of the road for the water,” said Harrison.