Police are investigating after a Jet Skier collided with a whale in the waters off Vancouver Monday evening.
The Vancouver Police Department says it received multiple reports of the collision on the Burrard Inlet near the iconic Siwash Rock at Stanley Park around 7:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Video of the incident shows the whale suddenly cresting the water’s surface to breathe as the Jet Skier approaches at high speed, slamming into the animal’s back and flying off the vehicle.
“The Jet Ski operator was rescued from the waters by a nearby sailboat and received assistance from the Coast Guard,” said a VPD statement Tuesday.
BC Emergency Health Services says paramedics responded to the scene and transported the Jet Skier to hospital in “serious but stable condition.”
Police have reportedly identified the Jet Skier and multiple witnesses.
Marine Education and Research Society, a non-profit research organization, has identified the whale as Grey Whale CRC-2688.
“The whale was sighted swimming after the collision, but it is too early to know about survival,” said MERS in a post to social media.
The VPD also could not confirm any injuries to the whale.
MERS added that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans had been notified.
Vessels must keep a distance of at least 100 metres from all whales in Canadian waters, with stricter regulations depending on the species.
The incident comes after weeks of reports of grey whale sightings near Vancouver’s shoreline.
—With files from The Canadian Press