Lake Cowichan RCMP investigating drowning at Marie Canyon

Lake Cowichan

2022-08-30 14:45 PDT

File # 2022-1764

On August 29 2022 just after 6:30p.m. the Lake Cowichan RCMP was contacted for assistance after a report of a possible drowning in Marie Canyon, off of Riverbottom Rd in Lake Cowichan.

Officers arrived on scene and spoke with witnesses and learned that a 56-year-old Vancouver man had been floating on an inflatable tube on the Cowichan River with several friends. The man had planned to exit the river prior to the rapids at Marie Canyon, but was unable to.

The friends of the deceased lost sight of him, but later located him approximately 500 meters down the river said Sergeant Chris Manseau, Acting Senior Media Relations Officer for the BC RCMP When the man was found he was in immediate medical distress, and first aid measures were given immediately.

BC Ambulance and Lake Cowichan Fire also assisted with life saving measures, unfortunately the man died on scene.

The Cowichan River is a very popular spot for tubing and swimming, and the RCMP want to remind those partaking to use caution as sudden changes in the river can cause unforeseen hazards Manseau added.

Though important, swimming skills alone aren't always enough to save a life. Many drowning incidents involve other factors that swimming skills alone cannot prepare an individual for.

This matter remains under investigation by the Lake Cowichan RCMP and BC Coroners Service.

Released by

Sgt. Chris Manseau

Email: chris.manseau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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