Only days after it began its season, the Edmonton Queen Riverboat became stuck in the North Saskatchewan River on Sunday during a Mother’s Day cruise.
About 200 people were on board when it got stuck between the James MacDonald and Connors Road bridge on the south side of the river.
One passenger who spoke with Global News said one of the paddles was making a loud noise as the boat left the dock at about 2 p.m.
When the crew tried to turn the boat around by dropping the anchor and using the current, the craft instead ran into the side of the river, beaching itself.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to the scene and helped in the evacuation of the passengers.
A bridge is extended to the shore of the North Saskatchewan River after the Edmonton Queen riverboat got stuck during a Mother’s Day cruise on May 10, 2026.
Courtesy: Brian Sanders
It’s the first weekend for the Edmonton Riverboat season, but it’s not the first time the Edmonton Queen has faced issues.
The boat became stuck in July 2019 and left passengers stranded overnight.
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Just before 11:30 p.m. on July 13, 2019, fire crews were called after the riverboat became stuck at Accidental Beach, a sandbar in the river in the Cloverdale area.
Three hundred people on the boat at the time were eventually evacuated.
It took about three years following the incident to get the boat up and running after significant repairs.
Global News has asked Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and Edmonton Riverboat for comment.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded after the Edmonton Queen riverboat became stuck on the North Saskatchewan River on May 10, 2026.
Courtesy: Brian Sanders
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