West Kelowna RCMP say a 67-year-old drowned in Lake Okanagan throughout swimming occasion

West Kelowna RCMP say a 67-year-old man drowned Saturday, whereas making an attempt to swim throughout Lake Okanagan.

Mounties say in an announcement that the senior was taking part within the Swim Across the Lake occasion, when one other participant discovered him unresponsive within the water at round 9:50 A.M., about two hours after the beginning of the swim.

It says that the opposite participant and a paddle boarder pulled the person out of the water close to Tugboat Beach in Kelowna, B.C., however makes an attempt by BC Ambulance crews to resuscitate him failed.

West Kelowna RCMP, which was contacted in regards to the drowning simply earlier than 10:30 a.m., say the household of the person has since been notified, after authorities have been in a position to establish him by way of the wrist band that he wore as a part of the occasion.

Police say the investigation into the incident stays ongoing with the BC Coroner Service.

Cst. Ginny Folster of West Kelowna RMCP says Saturday’s incident is a tragic reminder of simply how briskly environmental circumstances can flip leisure actions into an emergency scenario.

Organizers of the occasion say it the biggest and longest repeatedly operating open water swim occasion in Canada, as contributors swim 2.1 kilometres, beginning in West Kelowna and ending at a seaside in downtown Kelowna.

The occasion additionally features a shorter course that’s 1.5 kilometres lengthy.