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August 31, 2022 - 10:39 AM
The Kelowna RCMP dive team found the body of a Manitoba man who drowned two days earlier.
Just after 2 p.m., Aug. 30, divers found the 45-year-old's body around 38 metres offshore, according to Kelowna RCMP.
“Unfortunately the Central Okanagan has had several drowning deaths this summer which shock and sadden all of us. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera of Kelowna RCMP said in a news release.
The man and some friends were using a rented pontoon boat as they were visiting from out of town. While in the McKinley Landing area on Aug. 26, he tried to help a friend who was wearing a lifejacket, but she was struggling to swim.
“Throughout the chaos, they lost track of him. It was about 200 metres off the shore,” Della-Paolera said in an Aug. 28 news release.
READ MORE: Thompson Okanagan seeing higher number of drownings
Police and Central Okanagan Okanagan Search and Rescue tried to find drowning victim, but couldn't locate him until Tuesday afternoon.
No criminality is suspected, but the B.C. Coroners Service is continuing the investigation. Police did not identify the man.
“Two-thirds of drowning victims know how to swim. Accidents can happen anytime, and they can happen to you. Be prepared, be aware, and keep your (personal flotation device) on at all times whenever you are on the water," Della-Paolera said.
There’s been a high number of drownings in the Thompson Okanagan this year.
The Lifesaving Society keeps track of drownings in the province. As of Aug. 16, it recorded 22 drownings in B.C. this year with 50% being recorded in the Thompson Okanagan, an unusually high number compared to previous years.
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