Tragedy Strikes as Man Drowns While Paddleboarding at Hayward Lake
In a heartbreaking incident at Hayward Lake on Thursday evening, a 58-year-old man lost his life while enjoying a paddleboarding excursion. The man, paddleboarding near the dog beach area, tragically fell into the water after losing his balance.
Emergency services including Mission RCMP, BC Ambulance Service, and Mission Fire Rescue Service rushed to the scene around 6 p.m. in an attempt to resuscitate the man. Unfortunately, it was reported that the man was not wearing a personal flotation device and had limited swimming skills.
When the man fell into the water, his wife, who was onshore, desperately sought help from bystanders. Luckily, a nearby individual came to their aid and used the man’s own paddleboard to search the water. With quick thinking, the rescuer located the man underwater and brought him back to shore to initiate CPR.
Tragically, despite the valiant efforts of all involved, the man did not survive. The incident occurred in an area without lifeguards on duty, although off-duty lifeguards who were finishing their shifts rushed to assist with CPR until further help arrived.
This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the importance of water safety and the necessity of proper precautions, such as wearing a personal flotation device, especially for those engaging in water activities with limited swimming abilities.