When it comes to suv enters the water interrupting rowing practice at nanaimo’s long lake, in a surprising incident early Friday morning, members of the Nanaimo Rowing Club were met with an unexpected sight during their practice at Long Lake-a small SUV, mostly submerged in the water. This peculiar event unfolded just before 6 a.m. on May 29, when rowing coach Richard Parr noticed the vehicle near the boat launch area, its passenger-side window broken and the trunk barely visible above the surface.
Understanding SUV Enters The Water Interrupting Rowing Practice At Nanaimo’s Long Lake
Upon discovering the SUV, Parr immediately alerted emergency services. Nanaimo Fire Rescue quickly dispatched fire trucks and emergency crews to the scene, arriving shortly after receiving a call about the vehicle at approximately 5:45 a.m. Assistant Fire Chief John MacKenzie reported that when crews arrived, they found no one near the vehicle to indicate that anyone had been inside. “No one from the car was there to greet our crew when they arrived, and we didn’t know if anyone was inside,” MacKenzie explained. Learn more about this topic on Wikipedia.
In an effort to assess the situation, some crew members swam out to the SUV, which was about 50 feet from the boat launch. They discovered that the passenger-side window had been smashed, leaving the vehicle nearly fully submerged. Only the trunk was visible above the waterline. To further investigate, emergency personnel decided to break through the vehicle’s sunroof, hoping to find any potential occupants inside, but their search yielded no results.
Rowers Assist in the Search
As the emergency crews conducted their search, the rowing team offered assistance, providing a 10-foot skiff to facilitate the operation. MacKenzie noted, “So we used that boat, as well as our boat when it arrived, but no one was found.” The coordinated effort between the rowing team and first responders exemplified the community spirit during a tense situation.
The search continued until a boat arrived, and despite extensive efforts, no individuals were located. As a precaution, the emergency crew called for additional resources to comb the lake and its shoreline for anyone who might have been associated with the submerged SUV.
Vehicle Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
After confirming that there were no occupants inside the vehicle, the fire department arranged for a tow truck to remove the SUV from the lake. The recovery operation took about an hour, demonstrating the efficiency of the emergency response teams. “We then brought in a tow truck, chained up the vehicle, and pulled it out of the lake,” MacKenzie stated. The vehicle, identified as a small, early model Nissan SUV, was successfully pulled from the water without further incident.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the submerged vehicle. RCMP spokesperson Gary O’Brien confirmed that they are actively looking into the matter, stating, “We’re now checking on the vehicle’s plates.” This inquiry aims to determine how the SUV ended up in Long Lake and whether any criminal activity was involved.
Previous Incidents at Long Lake
This incident is not the first of its kind at Long Lake. In October 2025, a pickup truck was also pulled from the same area near the boat launch. That incident resulted in one individual being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Such occurrences raise concerns about safety and the need for vigilant monitoring of the area, especially during early morning hours when visibility is limited.
As the investigation unfolds, residents of Nanaimo are reminded of the importance of ensuring safe practices near bodies of water. With boating and recreational activities popular in the area, understanding how accidents can occur is vital in fostering a secure environment for all users of Long Lake.
The community remains on alert as the investigation continues, hoping to uncover the mystery behind the submerged SUV. Local authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the vehicle or its last known whereabouts to come forward. As the story develops, it will serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the vital role of emergency responders in ensuring public safety.
Originally reported by North Island Gazette. View original.
