A near-drowning in Okanagan Lake at the beach near Beach Avenue in Peachland, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.
Image Credit: Global Okanagan/Dave Ogilvie (with permission)
Republished August 13, 2016 - 8:59 AM
Original Publication Date August 12, 2016 - 4:34 PM
PEACHLAND - Despite the efforts of bystanders, a 76-year-old man has drowned in Okanagan lake.
The man was pulled from the water by a group of bystanders on 4000 Beach Avenue in downtown Peachland on Aug. 12.
Peachland Fire Rescue fire chief Dennis Craig says they're not sure how long the man was underwater before they arrived around 3:15 p.m., Aug. 12, but he had been seen swimming about 20 to 30 feet off shore prior to slipping under the surface.
“Several minutes later, a paddle boarder located the man below the water’s surface and with the assistance of a group of bystanders brought the unresponsive man to shore,” Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a release. “When emergency services arrived on scene several bystanders, which included an off duty nurse, were performing life saving measures on the victim.”
He was found in about eight to 10 feet of water.
The fire chief said the man had family with him and was transported to Kelowna General Hospital.
Craig says the family and bystanders on scene prior to their arrival have been offered assistance from victim services.
“It was a shock to everybody. It’s very busy down there,” Craig said.
- This story was updated on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 to add new information released by the RCMP.
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