Three people hospitalized after boat crash on Okanagan Lake near Summerland

PENTICTON – A Trout Creek resident’s quick actions helped helped save two people after their boat struck rocks last night.

Penticton deputy fire chief Chris Forster says marine rescue responded to a call around 10:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, regarding a boating collision in Trout Creek, north of the boat launch on Wharf Street on Okanagan Lake, south of Summerland.

Forster says a boat travelling at high speed too close to shore hit rocks, essentially stopping the boat in its tracks. One person was ejected into the water while two others sustained serious injuries but remained inside the boat.

A nearby resident heard the noise and investigated.

Forster says when she realized what happened, she swam out to the boat and with some verbal assistance from the injured occupants was able to start the boat and drive it to shore before it could sink.

Narmata fire chief Tony Travao says the 17 foot watercraft was travelling from Penticton to Summerland. Two men in the boat were seriously injured when one hit the windshield and the other impacted the steering wheel.

All three occupants of the boat were transported to hospital.

— This story was updated aat 4:30 p.m. Sept. 5, 2017 to more accurately locate the collision and provide further details from the Naramata Fire Department.

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