The Thompson RCMP Rural Detachment is investigating the circumstances under which a 14-year-old male was shot while riding in a canoe with a 23-year-old man from Split Lake on May 5.

Police were called town area on Provincial Road 280, about 30 kilometres south of Tataskweyak Cree Nation at Split Lake, about 7 p.m. that evening after receiving a call about the incident.

Reports indicated the pair were returning from a duck hunting excursion when a firearm discharged in the boat, striking the younger occupant and causing the canoe to capsize in shallow water near the shore. The two men made it to shore and travelled out of the bush on an all-terrain vehicle before encountering two Split Lake paramedics who happened to be in the area. The paramedics transported the victim to the local nursing station. He has since been transported to Winnipeg for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.

Thompson RCMP continues to investigate with assistance from Major Crime Services and the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team.