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Alberta visitors rescued after three hours in Okanagan Lake

Two men, an adult and a teenager, spent three hours floating after being thrown from their rented SeaDoo
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Vernon Search and Rescue pulled an Alberta visitor safely from Okanagan Lake Friday after he and his teenaged passenger – who had been rescued by a passing boat – were thrown from their rented SeaDoo. The two spent nearly three hours floating in the lake before being rescued.

Flotation devices helped save the lives of two Alberta visitors.

A 40-year-old man and 15-year-old male, both from Calgary, were thrown off their rented SeaDoo in Okanagan Lake off the 7300 block of Tronson Road shortly before 5:15 p.m. Friday.

“The SeaDoo rental company reported that two clients were overdue,” said Vernon RCMP Sgt. Mike Moyer. “The rental company sent employees looking for them as the waters were rough with strong winds.”

Vernon Search and Rescue and RCMP Air Section was requested in the search.

The teen was pick up by a boat passing by and returned to shore, and Vernon SAR located the 40-year-old on the middle of the lake and brought him back to shore.

The two males were examined by ambulance personnel. Both were in the water for a minimum of three hours. Both did not have serious injuries and both were wearing their life vests.

“Remember to wear a personal flotation device,” said Moyer. “Tragedy can strike in an instant. Don’t assume that you will have time to put on a life jacket.”