(UPDATE: July 13 @ 10:45 am) - A man who wasn't wearing a life jacket while tubing on Okanagan Lake is presumed to have drowned.
The West Kelowna RCMP says a call came in about the incident near Bear Creek Provincial Park shortly before noon on Saturday.
An investigation has determined that a 45-year-old man was tubing behind a boat when he was thrown into the water and began to struggle.
According to police, the operator of the boat immediately jumped in the lake to try and rescue the drowning man, but was unable to reach him in time. The operator ended up struggling himself and required rescue from a nearby boater.
First responders and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue searched the lake for the missing man, but suspended efforts later in the day on Saturday.
The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team has now been deployed to assist with efforts to recover the man's body.
Cpl. Devon Gerrits called it a "tragic reminder of how quickly recreational activities on the water can turn into an emergency."
“We extend our sincere condolences to the man’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," he said.
"We also want to remind everyone enjoying our lakes this summer to always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent drowning.”
The investigation into the man's presumed death is ongoing and the RCMP will not be releasing any further information at this time.
(Original story: July 11 @ 8:30 pm) - Emergency crews were called out to the Bear Creek Provincial Park area for a potential drowning early Saturday afternoon.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) was part of those efforts, deploying marine and air resources in an effort to locate a missing individual.
“Unfortunately, due to uncertainty about the exact location of the incident, a reliable search area could not be established,” a COSAR debrief explained.
“After assessing the available information, RCMP made the decision to suspend the search pending additional information that may help better define the search area.”
KelownaNow has reached out to the RCMP and will update this story when more information becomes available.
COSAR was also called to Mara Lake around the same time today to assist Shuswap Search and Rescue with an ongoing search for another potential drowning victim on Mara Lake.
No further details were provided on that search.
