Woman and Child Rescued from Raging River in BC

Update 10:30 a.m.: The dramatic river rescue near Courtenay, BC had a tragic end.

Comox Valley RCMP have confirmed that the 26-year-old Comox Valley woman who was rescued and sent to hospital did not survive. Her 7-month-old son, rescued before her, was airlifted to BC Children's Hospital and is still there now. The infant's condition was last reported as critical.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to this family”, states S/Sgt. Kevin Mazur, Plain Clothes Commander with the Comox Valley RCMP. “Based on the evidence and information we have gathered so far, there is no indication that any third party was involved in the pair entering the water.”

Investigators are asking anyone who might have seen the woman and her baby near the water to contact Comox Valley RCMP.

Original Story:

Emergency crews near Courtenay, BC performed a river rescue, snatching a woman and child away from the cold waters.

On Friday afternoon, Comox Valley RCMP receive multiple 9-1-1 calls about a woman and a small child who were seen floating in the fast-moving waters of the Puntledge River by the Condensory Bridge. Within minutes of the first call, police had rushed to the scene along with other emergency crews.

An RCMP helicopter (Air 8) was flying above the river when its crew spotted the child. They immediately rescued the child, transporting him or her to St. Joseph's hospital by ambulance. Police say that there is no update on the condition of the child at this time.

A short time later, the woman was rescued as well and sent to hospital. Her condition is also unknown.

Cst. Don Sinclair of Comox Valley RCMP says that personnel are investigating who the woman and child are so that they can notify their family. Police currently do not know how the two came to enter the river.