TWO kayakers were lucky to have avoided serious injury after a log was dropped on their kayaks from a cliff above them. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Saturday August 6 in the waters off of Jesse Island, located at the entrance to Departure Bay Beach.

The kayakers, a 43-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, told police they were paddling by the island exploring some rock features when an individual above them began yelling at them. They said they had a short exchange with the individual after which they continued paddling.

A few minutes later, they heard a commotion and looked up to see the same person pushing a large log off a cliff that was directly above them. The log fell directly on the woman kayaker striking her on back with enough force to knock her out of her kayak and into the ocean waters. The log also hit her male companion. He managed to stay upright in his kayak and assisted his friend to shore where several witnesses called the police and reported the incident.

With the assistance of the Nanaimo Port Authority vessel, Nanaimo RCMP officers attended to the island and arrested a 37-year-old man for assault with a weapon. The individual was later released from police custody on an undertaking to appear in Nanaimo Provincial Court on November 9.

Police took pictures of the log which measured approximately 20 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter.

“This was bizarre incident and given the size and weight of the log, and distance it fell, the log could have caused significant injury to both persons”, said Nanaimo RCMP Constable Gary O’Brien.

The investigation continues.