Two vehicles were stuck along the Nanaimo River Estuary on Monday, May 27 after a group of four youth went off-roading in the area. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

senseless damage

Young joyriders get vehicles stuck in sensitive Nanaimo Estuary

May 29, 2024 | 2:34 PM

NANAIMO — Four youth are potentially facing charges from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) after a rising tide caught them off guard in a protected area.

RCMP were alerted around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 27 to four young people and a pair of vehicles stuck in a section of the Nanaimo Estuary near Duke Point.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the four are between the ages of 16 and 21 years old.

“The tide was rising quickly and there was no way for those guys to get out safely. The [responding RCMP] member was lucky enough to commandeer a nearby canoe and after he donned his life jacket, he paddled out to where the four youth were.”

A rising tide caught a group of four youth off guard along the Nanaimo River on Monday, May 27, leading to a rescue by canoe from RCMP. (submitted photo)

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After a couple of trips, the four were taken to shore and checked out for any injuries.

O’Brien said the vehicles remained trapped in the area until Tuesday, May 28 when they were able to be removed safely.

“[Fisheries and Oceans Canada] (DFO) was advised and that’s a protected area because of the diversity of the fauna, the fish and the wildlife, so the youth could be looking at charges under the Wildlife Act.”

It’s unknown whether any fuel or oil spilled from the vehicles into the river or surrounding habitat.

O’Brien said some people unfortunately use the area to go off-roading.

“When the tide is down, you can 4×4 in that area, and sure enough that’s exactly what they did. Then when the tide rose, they didn’t realize it came in very quickly and they couldn’t get the trucks out. They were essentially stuck on this little outcrop of island on the river that was quickly disappearing.”

No charges are pending from RCMP, according to O’Brien, however other investigations will operate independently and are still ongoing.

The B.C. COS confirmed they are investigating this incident, with DFO support.

In a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, the COS said they received “several reports of vehicle mud-bogging in the area” managed by the Nature Trust of BC, and they are in contact with law enforcement and conservation partners about this incident.

Violation tickets for mud bogging are $575 and may include other penalties like towing or impounding their vehicle and paying for expenses related to habitat restoration.

Depending on the circumstances and location, the offence may fall under a number of different provincial and federal laws surrounding the proper use of a motor vehicle and environmental protection.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada are investigating after two 4×4 vehicles were off-roading along the Nanaimo River Monday, and ultimately become stuck. (submitted photo)

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