Angela Nemeth, 43 and Beatrice Sorensen, 51, were confirmed today (Monday) as the victims of a fatal Sunday accident that occurred during a routine search and rescue training exercise in the Skookumchuck Narrows.
According to Sunshine Coast RCMP, a mayday call was received at approximately 11:30 a.m. after a Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) vessel with four volunteers capsized near the Skookumchuck Rapids.
It's a worst case scenario for us, said RCM-SAR spokesperson Randy Strandt. We've never lost a crew member, ever, in our history.
The four members were volunteers with Unit 12 - Halfmoon Bay RCM-SAR, known until recently as the Coast Guard auxiliary.
Two of the crew were rescued with the help of another vessel in the area, but Nemeth and Sorensen perished, trapped beneath their 733 Zodiac Hurricane.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada sent two of its investigators to the scene yesterday and has been interviewing witnesses, said spokesperson Chris Krepski.
We have the vessel in our possession, we're going to transport it to Richmond and we're going to take a closer look at it, Krepski said. We do have investigators with direct experience in a Coast Guard environment operating this exact type of vessel. They'll be participating in this as well.
Sorensen was also known for her work as the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society's director of finance.
Nemeth was the office and traffic manager with CKAY-FM in Sechelt. This morning, general manager Bob Morris took to the air to share condolences with those impacted by the tragedy.
Naturally, the staff here at the radio station are devastated by the news of Angie's passing. We offer our support and condolences to Angie's girls and the rest of her family. I do know that Angie loved her volunteer work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary (RCM-SAR) and was proud to be able to offer her assistance to those in need on the water. We're a very close family here at the radio station and we will remember Angie with love and respect.
Don Bindon, president of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association, released a statement yesterday in reaction to the events.
Whether on operational callout or training maneuvers, we are reminded that preparing for and responding to the rescue needs of others places every SAR volunteer, be on it on land, sea or air, at risk, he wrote. Our hearts go out to our volunteer marine colleagues and their families at this most tragic time.
Check back for more updates as they become available this week and more in-depth coverage in the June 8th print and on-line editions of Coast Reporter.
