Cochrane Fire Services, Cochrane RCMP and Nakoda Emergency Services responded to a call of a sinking boat on Ghost Lake just before 10 p.m. on Saturday evening (July 14). 

It is believed ten people were recreating on a 24-ft long speedboat when it got too close to the rock bar which tore a hole in the bottom of the boat causing it to capsize. Subsequently, all ten people ages 1 to 53 years old ended up in the chilly water.

Cochrane Fire Chief, David Humphrey says in total three boats assisted in the rescue efforts including two from Fire Services and one from a civilian the RCMP borrowed. "Our estimated time that they were in the water was an hour and twenty minutes. That was from the time they called in until we had the last of them out and on boats."                                                                                                    

All ten individuals were successfully rescued and brought to shore, however, one 15-year-old girl went unresponsive once ashore but was revived by chest compressions administered by an RCMP member.

Cochrane RCMP was thankful for the combined rescue efforts stating they would not have been able to complete the rescue as fast and efficiently as they did. Chief Humphrey says the incident serves as a good reminder that anytime you are recreating, problems can arise. "An incident can occur no matter what you are doing at any time, so you should be aware of your surroundings and circumstances. The other thing for boating enthusiasts is there is nowhere in Alberta we consider the water to be warm, basically, we consider it to be cold water anywhere in the province."  

In total, four of the ten individuals were transported to the hospital with everyone else being checked on the scene. Chief Humphrey is under the impression all ten are doing alright as he would have been notified if conditions had changed.