Skip to content

Boat allegedly sideswiped canoe, knocking paddler into Cultus Lake

Operator of power boat allegedly left the scene after collision near Main Beach
22283973_web1_200730-CPL-Boat-Rams-Canoe_2
Marks on the bottom of the canoe allegedly made when the motor boat brushed it hard enough to leave paint marks. (Rick Joe/Facebook)

Rick and Peggy Joe were in shock after Peggy was sideswiped by a motor boat while paddling in Cultus Lake Wednesday morning.

The operator of the power boat allegedly left the scene after a witness said RCMP had been called.

The collision pushed Peggy Joe off the cedar strip canoe she was paddling and into the water near Main Beach Wednesday morning.

The boat also scuffed the bottom of the canoe with paint marks.

“First of all, my wife and I are safe!” Rick Joe posted while they were at the hospital getting Peggy checked out in the ER.

His wife was also struck on her back before the boat brushed her into the water, he said.

It was a close call.

“A matter of an inch closer and I’d be planning my wife’s funeral today,” Joe said.

Police were called, witnesses gave testimony, and an RCMP file is open on the incident to be investigated.

Joe posted photos of what looks like white paint marks at the point of impact on the base of the canoe.

He asked any other witnesses who were lakeside that day, of which there were many, to message him if they later saw the boat or the operator.

“Also a big thank you to the ones that came to help and stayed with us and provided their statements to RCMP,” Joe said.

READ MORE: Police seek footage of assault at Cultus Lake

READ MORE: Good Samaritan tried to save drowned man


Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
jfeinberg@theprogress.com


@CHWKjourno
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation here.

22283973_web1_copy_200730-CPL-Boat-Rams-Canoe_1
The motor boat that allegedly sideswiped a paddler at Cultus Lake’s Main Beach on the morning of July 29, 2020. (Rick Joe/Facebook)


Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
Read more