RCMP helicopter, boats search for drowning victim in Okanagan Lake
KELOWNA, B.C. – Four friends desperately searched for an hour for a comrade who fell off a boat and disappeared in the waters of Okanagan Lake before calling for authorities to help them find their missing buddy.
A police search with the help of Air 3 and marine vessels has so far failed to find any sign of the 25-year-old Kelowna man who fell while standing on the edge of the boat. He fell into the water when the boat operator abruptly slowed the pontoon boat.
“Five friends had gone out on the boat at around 5:30 p.m. (Monday) for some wake surfing and some fishing. They were traveling back to the Eldorado boat ramp, and were south of it when the boat operator slowed the boat abruptly,” said Const. Steve Holmes.
“The victim, who was standing at the edge of the front of the boat, lost his balance and pitched forward into the water in front of the boat. He was not wearing a life jacket.
“The others in the boat heard a bump, as the boat passed over the victim and they dove in after him when they saw him floating briefly behind the boat. They were not able to get to him before he sank from view. The distraught males continued to look for the victim for an hour before coming back to shore where they called police,” said Holmes.
Two fire rescue boats from Kelowna and Peachland searched the area until darkness.
“The RCMP’s boat will be searching the water today. RCMP Air 3 will be contacted to assist with an aerial search of the lake as well,” Holmes added.
The name of the victim will not be released until all relatives have been notified. This is the second drowning in the Kelowna area of Okanagan Lake this year.
Related articles:
- Calgary firefighter helps save man drowning in B.C. lake
- North York child drowning brings warning for parents
- Sidney senior, 76, drowns in lake near Hope
- Alberta man falls off his boat and drowns in B.C. lake
Posted by News Editor
on Jul 20 2010. Filed under LATEST FROM VANCOUVER.
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