Man who was swimming with friends, family drowns in Okanagan Lake: RCMP
A man who was spending the day at the lake with friends and family earlier this week drowned, B.C. Mounties say.
Police said they and paramedics were called at about 2 p.m. Monday about a 57-year-old man from the Lower Mainland who drowned in Okanagan Lake near Peachland.
Investigators said the man was swimming near 6 Street and Beach Avenue with friends and family. At some point, he reportedly jumped in the water on his own, but never resurfaced. It wasn't until about 30 minutes later that the man's disappearance was noticed.
Friends and family tried to look for the man but, after not finding him, contacted nearby lifeguards. The man was eventually found and lifeguards brought him to the surface to give life-saving measures.
Those attempts were unsuccessful and the man died at the scene.
"This is a sad time for family and friends of this gentleman and the RCMP are saddened by this unfortunate accident," said Const. Mike Della-Paolera in a news release.
DOZENS OF DROWNINGS EACH YEAR IN B.C.
According to the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, fatal drownings are the most common in the summer months.
In an emailed statement, the research institute said "an average of 75 people die a year in B.C. from drowning."
Dale Miller, executive director of Lifesaving Society B.C. and Yukon Branch, urges people to be prepared and get familiar with the water before jumping in.
"First and foremost is to really think about what you would do if something were to happen to someone you're with or yourself as well," he said.
"Do you have something to throw to someone? A rope or something like that? An inflatable even."
Even swimmers should take precautions, experts say. According to the Boating BC Association, it's estimated two out of every three victims know how to swim.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Tahmina Aziz
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.