A 67-year-old man tragically drowned during the Swim Across the Lake event on Saturday in Lake Okanagan, according to West Kelowna RCMP.
The incident occurred around 9:50 A.M., approximately two hours after the swim began, when a fellow participant discovered the man unresponsive in the water near Tugboat Beach in Kelowna, B.C. Despite efforts by a paddle boarder and emergency crews, the man could not be revived.
Authorities were able to notify the man’s family after identifying him through the event wristband he was wearing. The investigation into the drowning is ongoing in collaboration with the BC Coroner Service.
Cst. Ginny Folster of West Kelowna RCMP emphasized the importance of being aware of changing environmental conditions during recreational activities, highlighting how quickly emergencies can arise.
The Swim Across the Lake event, which features a 2.1-kilometre swim from West Kelowna to downtown Kelowna, is known as the largest and longest-running open water swim event in Canada. Participants also have the option of a shorter 1.5-kilometre course.
Keyphrase: Lake Okanagan drowning