Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers spent 500 hours over nine days trying to find the missing Kamloops diver.
Image Credit: Submitted/COSAR
June 01, 2021 - 11:58 AM
The body of the Kamloops firefighter who never surfaced from a recreational dive in Okanagan lake was located this morning.
While crews had been searching in Okanagan Lake near the William R. Bennett bridge today, June 1, just after 7 a.m., a member of the public ultimately spotted what appeared to be a body of a diver in the water just south of the bridge.
The body was brought to shore, and the West Kelowna RCMP will be working with the BC Coroners Service as it continues its investigation.
A massive search has been ongoing for the body of a 52-year-old diver who went missing May 15 while recreationally diving near the W. R. Bennett Bridge. That search is now concluded.
“We would like to thank our partners with the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR), and the Kelowna and Kamloops Fire and Rescue for all their efforts over the past few weeks conducting this search,” Staff Sgt. Duncan Dixon of the West Kelowna RCMP said in a press release.
“We would also like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers who are experiencing this terrible loss.”
Early in the search, the missing diver was 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 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 read.
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 read. "He was a much-loved husband, son, brother, uncle and a cherished friend to many."
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