Edson area canoeists rescued after 16 hour ordeal

Shortly after 10 pm on July 3, 2013, RCMP officers in Edson were dispatched to an incident where four people were missing from a tour group along the Athabasca River near Edson, Alberta.

RCMP Helicopter over the Athabasca
Photo courtesy of RCMP

Four people in two canoes were separated from their group sometime mid-afternoon and the tour company attempted to located the four and their canoes. Through private means, the tour company airdropped an emergency pack to the two people stranded on the shore of the river yesterday evening, not knowing that the other two canoeists were stranded in the river hanging on to a rock in proximity to the first two. Emergency personnel were dispatched shortly after 10 pm and due to the remote location and nightfall, police were not in a position to safely attempt a rescue.


Early this morning, the Edson RCMP marine unit, with the assistance of the RCMP helicopter and the Hinton Fire and Rescue, were able to resume the search along the Athabasca River. They located and rescued all four stranded canoeists.

Two of the canoeists had been stranded in the middle of the Athabasca River and had clung to a rock for approximately 16 hours. This was the same rock where they had smashed their canoe several hours before.

The other two canoeists had found refuge on the river bank in proximity to the first two. They too had capsized their canoe earlier in the day.

The rescued people later on told RCMP officers they were unable to swim to shore due to the high water levels and the strong current in the Athabasca River.

All four canoeists were examined by Edson Emergency Medical Services and declined further medical attention.