Diver missing, presumed drowned in Okanagan Lake identified as Kamloops firefighter | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Mostly Cloudy  22.4°C

Kelowna News

Diver missing, presumed drowned in Okanagan Lake identified as Kamloops firefighter

Kamloops firefighter Brian Lannon, 53, went missing May 15, 2021 when diving in Okanagan Lake near the Bennett bridge in Kelowna. He is now presumed drowned.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Family of Brian Lannon

The 53-year-old man who went missing Saturday while diving Okanagan Lake, and is now presumed drowned, has been identified as a Kamloops firefighter Brian Lannon.

"Brian and his wife of 20 years, Jennifer Cook, were in Kelowna on Saturday, May 15 for Brian to join his recreational dive partner and two local Kelowna divers to do a recreational dive from City Park near the W. R. Bennett bridge," family friend Jamie Chase said in a statement released this afternoon, May 18.

"They completed a dive in the morning without incident. During their second dive of the day, Brian became separated from his diving partner and the dive team lost contact with him. When it became apparent that he had not resurfaced, his dive team began searching with the assistance of some local boaters and called for emergency response," the statement reads.

Lannon was a captain with Kamloops Fire Rescue, where he had served since 1994, according to a social media statement made by Kamloops Fire Rescue. 

"Captain Lannon was known for his dedication and professionalism," the statement reads. "He was a much-loved husband, son, brother, uncle and a cherished friend to many."

As RCMP said yesterday, the search for Lannon has continued since then and has now become a recovery effort.

Dive teams are set up at the base of the W.R. Bennett Bridge today and despite extremely windy conditions they've been seen going in and out of the water.

"Brian’s family is very grateful for the efforts of the Kelowna RCMP and the RCMP’s dive team, Kelowna Fire Rescue and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue," Chase said.

"They also wish to thank Kamloops Fire Rescue for the overwhelming support they have provided."

—This story was updated at 4:17 p.m., May 18, 2021 with a statement from Kamloops Fire Rescue.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2021
iNFOnews

  • Popular kamloops News
  • No referendum for $150M Kamloops RCMP building
    Kamloops voters will soon be asked to decide whether to give their blessing for a new Kamloops RCMP building, along with a host of less expensive projects. Similar to the Build Kamloops loan
  • Kamloops RCMP release image of person of interest in dumpster fires
    Kamloops RCMP have released a photo of someone related to an ongoing arson investigation with the hope someone recognizes him. Police were called to a dumpster fire near the 100-block of Vic
  • RV strikes roof at Kamloops hospital entrance
    Royal Inland Hospital took some damage when an RV struck the building Monday afternoon. All entrances to the Kamloops hospital remain open, but signs of an impact remain on the ceiling at th
  • Missing person team fields new tips on Ryan Shtuka's disappearance
    It has been over six years since Ryan Shtuka went missing from Sun Peaks Resort, and while his case remains unsolved, his story is still fresh in the eyes of the public who continue to provide tip
  • Injured mountain biker rescued near Kamloops
    Paramedics and search crews scrambled to pick up an injured mountain biker near Kamloops this past weekend. Emergency crews were called to the Tranquille area for a rider with a suspected sp
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile