On July 9, 2024, at approximately 9:45 pm, The Pas RCMP received an iPhone satellite emergency call. It was reported that an adult female had sustained injuries in a boat collision deep in the forest on a creek known as Frog Creek south of Cormorant.
Officers at The Pas RCMP Detachment immediately deployed their boat and enlisted a local lake and river guide with extensive knowledge of the area to assist. Two officers, the guide, and two Emergency Medical Services Paramedics departed in near total darkness, navigating through 10 kilometres of Cormorant Lake, turning into Frog Creek. The team then went another 10 kilometres through Frog Creek’s switchbacks and stone dams until on scene of the vessel collision.
When officers arrived at the scene, a 30-foot aluminum commercial fishing boat laden with ice and fish, and a six-person crew was located. It appears the vessel hit something under water and veered, launching the boat about 40 feet out of the water and onto land.
A 34-year-old female had serious injuries, and a 42-year-old male was injured as well. The rescue team immediately transported the two injured persons back 20 kilometres to the Cormorant boat launch, where the rescue team transferred the injured parties from the boat to Emergency Medical Services ambulance. Paramedics transported the injured parties to the hospital in The Pas where they were treated for their injuries and released.
The remaining rescue team headed back to the scene to pick up the remaining physically uninjured crew members.
“This was a very challenging rescue as it occurred at night in difficult-to-navigate waterways in foggy conditions,” said Superintendent Paul Peddle, Manitoba RCMP North District Commander. “Our local guide, our officers, and EMS went above and beyond in this situation, and were able to get help to people who were in dire need of it. In the North, we all come together to help each other out, and lives are saved because of it.”
