Scuba Diver’s Death in B.C. a ‘Tragic Incident,’ Police Say as Investigation Underway
Bystanders and emergency crews tried to revive the 66-year-old man, and police say the death is not considered suspicious.
- On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a 66-year-old local man died while scuba diving alone at Degnen Bay on Gabriola Island, despite life-saving efforts by bystanders and emergency responders.
- Investigators report the man entered the water alone from the Degnen Bay dock wearing full scuba equipment and swam less than 30 metres before bystanders observed him motionless on the surface.
- B.C. Emergency Health Services received a 911 call at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday; Cpl. Brett Urano, Gabriola Island RCMP spokesperson, said, "This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the man's family and those who were involved in the response."
- The Gabriola Island RCMP determined the death is not suspicious, and the B.C. Coroners Service has assumed conduct of the investigation with RCMP support.
- On that same Wednesday, two other people died in separate drowning incidents in Nanaimo: a woman near Departure Bay Beach and a man near the Brechin boat ramp at the north end of Stewart Avenue.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Scuba diver dies in waters near Gabriola Island, off Vancouver Island coast
A scuba diver has died in the waters off a B.C. Gulf Island, in a death that police say is not considered suspicious. Mounties on Gabriola Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island say paramedics were called Wednesday after an unresponsive diver was reported at Degnen Bay. Police say emergency r...
Scuba diver found dead in waters off Gabriola Island
Gabriola Island RCMP is investigating a sudden death that occurred at Degnen Bay on Wednesday, May 20. At approximately 5 p.m., B.C. Emergency Health Services received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive scuba diver in the water. B.C. Emergency Health Services, Gabriola Fire Department, and local physicians responded and continued life-saving efforts initiated by bystanders, who had located a 66-year-old local man in the water near a mooring bu…
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