u.s. kayaker drowns after two kayaks capsize in okanagan lake
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an american citizen has drowned after two kayaks capsized in okanagan lake near westbank first nation beach, said west kelowna rcmp.
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a kayaker has died after two people were thrown into okanagan lake in windy conditions near west kelowna on friday evening, prompting rcmp to remind boaters and paddlers to wear life-jackets.
west kelowna rcmp said it received a call just after 7:10 p.m. that two kayakers had fallen into the water near westbank first nation beach in the 2100-block of boucherie road.
the pair tried to swim to shore, but weren’t successful.
several vessels joined the search effort, including a police boat, a peachland fire rescue vessel and a civilian boat used by front-line officers.
one kayaker remained on the surface of the water and was rescued. another kayaker, a man in his 20s, disappeared beneath the water and didn’t resurface.
central okanagan search and rescue searched the waters for the missing man until 10:30 p.m., according to a social media post.
police said the second kayaker was located and died at the scene.
the deceased kayaker was a u.s. citizen. police are working to notify next of kin.
neither kayaker was wearing a life-jacket as required by law, mounties said.
“this is a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions can change on okanagan lake,” said const. ash puri of the west kelowna rcmp. “wearing a life-jacket can make the difference between life and death. we urge all boaters and paddlers to take that simple step every time they’re on the water.”
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