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Capsized canoeists taken to Nanaimo hospital

Pair of paddlers were able to wade to shore in stormy seas

Rescuers scrambled to Rathtrevor Beach on Dec. 28 to aid a canoeist who took on one wave too many.

Oceanside RCMP reported they received several complaints of a capsizd canoe in the ocean and, upon arrival, they found two men wading to shore in chest-deep water.

Oceanside RCMP Sergeant Darrell Robertson said their canoe was adrift and some distance away from the boaters.

Both men were escorted to a police vehicle and provided blankets until B.C. Ambulance arrived on the scene.

The pair estimated they had been capsized in the ocean for approximately 30 minutes before their cries for help were heard. Upon the arrival of B.C. Ambulance, both males were treated and transported to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Their canoe was recovered by Canadian Coast Guard and taken to the French Creek Coast Guard Station.

Robertson extended his  thanks to the citizen who assisted police by providing warm blankets to the two young men once they were safe.