One kayaker is dead and another was rescued after authorities say their vessel capsized in Okanagan Lake near Kelowna, B.C.
Mounties with the West Kelowna RCMP were contacted shortly after 7 p.m. on June 19 after the paddlers entered the water while encountering sudden wind gusts near the Westbank First Nation beach in the 2100 block of Boucherie Road, police said in a statement Tuesday.
“Both individuals attempted to swim to shore,” the statement said. “However, one kayaker went under the water and did not resurface.”
Officers boarded a civilian vessel and began searching for the kayakers while an RCMP boat and a Peachland Fire Rescue vessel were dispatched to assist.
One kayaker was located and rescued a short time later. A wider search was launched for the missing paddler, whose body was found several hours later.
“Despite all efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said.
The deceased was identified as a United States citizen and efforts to notify their next of kin are still underway.
Neither kayaker was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the incident, investigators said.
The B.C. Coroners Service has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“This is a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions can change on Okanagan Lake,” Const. Ash Puri said in the statement.
“Wearing a life jacket can make the difference between life and death,” Puri added. “We urge all boaters and paddlers to take that simple step every time they’re on the water.”
