Father of four who drowned in Kelowna creek remembered as hero | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Father of four who drowned in Kelowna creek remembered as hero

“He was a really nice person, always smiling, always relaxed and always wanted to help others," he said.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/National Realty Corp.

The Surrey man who drowned while trying to rescue his daughter is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a hero.

Kashif Sheikh, 46, drowned Sunday, June 21, while attempting to help his 13-year-old daughter who had fallen into the water near Mill Creek Falls. She managed to climb out, but Kashif did not.

“RIP. You are a true hero and will always be remembered in our hearts,”employer Ray Arneja of National Realty Corp said in an online tribute posted earlier today.

Arneja said Kashif only started working at the realty company in January but they got to know each other well since then. Kashif had started there because he wanted to find a way to spend more time with his wife and four children.

“He was a really nice person, always smiling, always relaxed and always wanted to help others," he said. "He was born to help others ... he was always relaxed and always smiling."

The family was on a Father’s Day road trip when they were struck by tragedy.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said that bystanders were able to pull him from the water and begin CPR efforts, which were subsequently taken over by B.C. Emergency Health Services.

“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the 46-year-old man could not be resuscitated and passed away,” she said. “RCMP Victim Services is providing support to the witnesses and the victim’s family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

The B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating to determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death.

His death was one of two Okanagan drowning deaths over the weekend. A 32-year-old Vernon man also drowned when jumping from the cliffs on Kalamalka Lake.


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.

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