West Kelowna RCMP Say a 67-Year-Old Drowned in Lake Okanagan During Swimming Event
Police say strong winds and currents likely pushed swimmers off course, and 5 people have died on Okanagan Lake in the past month.
- On Saturday, a 67-year-old man participating in the annual Across Lake Swim drowned in Okanagan Lake near Tugboat Bay. Emergency crews were unable to revive him after he was found unresponsive in the water.
- Strong southerly winds during the event pushed participants off course to the north, according to West Kelowna RCMP. These challenging environmental conditions likely contributed to the incident, turning the recreational swim into an emergency.
- Another participant and a paddle boarder pulled the man to shore at Tugboat Bay after finding him unresponsive. The BC Coroner Service is working with police to investigate the specific circumstances surrounding the fatality.
- This incident marks the fifth drowning in Okanagan Lake in the past month. Across British Columbia, there have been over 30 drownings this year, a 50% increase compared to 2025.
- Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas offered condolences to the family during a National Drowning Prevention Week event on Sunday. Local officials are emphasizing safety education, including the importance of wearing life jackets on the water.
33 Articles
33 Articles
67-year-old man drowns in B.C. lake during Canada's largest open water swim
A drowning tragedy occurred this past weekend when a 67-year-old man died during a popular B.C. swimming event. At approximately 10:26 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, BC Ambulance Service reported a drowning at Tugboat Beach to police. According to West Kelowna RCMP, which was also notified of the incident on Okanagan Lake, the victim was a participant in the Swim Across the Lake event. “Kelowna RCMP investigation has determined that a 67-year-old ma…
67-year-old drowns in Okanagan Lake during swimming event in Kelowna: RCMP
Mounties say the senior was participating in the Across the Lake Swim event on Saturday when another participant found him unresponsive in the water at around 10 a.m., about two hours after the event started.
Death during annual swim event confirmed as 5th drowning on Okanagan this year - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
A person who drowned at Tugboat Bay was participating in the annual Across the Lake Swim, Kelowna RCMP have confirmed. Emergency crews were called to the bay on Saturday morning, July 18. According to Cpl. Steven Lang, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, police were alerted to a drowning in the area. “They were a part of the Across the Lake swim yesterday,” he said. Lang added he did not have the exact circumstances of how the victim …
The Free Press
Death during annual swim event confirmed as 5th drowning on Okanagan this year
A person who drowned at Tugboat Bay was participating in the annual Across the Lake Swim, Kelowna RCMP have confirmed. Emergency crews were called to the bay on Saturday morning, July 18. According to Cpl. Steven Lang, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, police were alerted to a drowning in the area. “They were a part of the Across the Lake swim yesterday,” he said. Lang added he did not have the exact circumstances of how the victim …
Death during annual swim event confirmed as fifth drowning in Okanagan this year - The Similkameen Spotlight
A person who drowned at Tugboat Bay was participating in the annual Across the Lake Swim, Kelowna RCMP say. Emergency crews flocked to the bay on Saturday morning, July 18. According to Cpl. Steven Lang, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, police were alerted to a drowning “They were a part of the Across the Lake swim yesterday,” he said. Speaking to a Black Press reporter, Lang said he did not have the exact circumstances of how the …
Penticton Western News
Sicamous Eagle Valley NewsDeath during annual swim event confirmed as fifth drowning in Okanagan this year
A person who drowned at Tugboat Bay was participating in the annual Across the Lake Swim, Kelowna RCMP say. Emergency crews flocked to the bay on Saturday morning, July 18. According to Cpl. Steven Lang, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, police were alerted to a drowning “They were a part of the Across the Lake swim yesterday,” he said. Speaking to a Black Press reporter, Lang said he did not have the exact circumstances of how the …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
