Don't drink and boat, say RCMP, after stranded trio rescued from Alberta reservoir

Alberta RCMP have charged a man with impaired boating after he, another adult, and a child had to be rescued from where they were stranded on the Oldman Reservoir as a thunderstorm moved in.

At around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Pincher Creek Emergency Services and RCMPresponded to a 911 call that a boat had quit and the boaters were "in peril," police said in a release Wednesday.

The boat was found stuck in a shallow, muddy area of the Crowsnest River arm of the reservoir, with a 36-year-old male from CrowsnestPass, a 32-year-old female and a seven-year-old child aboard.

• MORE CRIME NEWS |Drugs, cash and a baby seized by Calgary police in two raids
• MORE CRIME NEWS |Opioid overdose calls hit record for Calgary firefighters

Police said both adults were found to be intoxicated, and the man at the helm of the boat was arrested and charged withimpaired care and control of a vessel, and liquor offences.

Two fire departments, provincial parks officers and Mounties responded to the call.

"RCMP remind all boaters that alcohol and boating do not mix, creating a dangerous situation for themselves and other boaters, especially when children are involved," RCMPsaid in the release.

Anyone charged with operating a boat while impaired is also prohibited from operating other motor vehicles, police said, and their driver's licence is seized and suspended.

The Oldman Reservoir is located approximately 220 kilometres south of Calgary.

• Read more articles byCBC Calgary, like us onFacebookfor updates and subscribe to ourCBC Calgary newsletterfor the day's news at a glance.