A man died Saturday night in a lake north of Kelowna, British Columbia, while apparently trying to help someone in the water, police said.
Kelowna RCMP said the man drowned around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Wood Lake. His identity has not been released.
Police responded to the incident after boaters reported two men “in distress” in the water. Police described the pair as “passengers” but did not specify whether they were in a boat or other vessel.
“The preliminary investigation shows that the man drowned while trying to help another passenger in the water,” Judith Bertrand said in a statement on Sunday.
Internal health authorities overseeing the region had the highest rate of drownings in the province in 2019, according to the British Columbia Coroner’s Office.
Sunday marked the start of the Canadian Lifesaving Society’s National Drowning Prevention Week.
In the incident on Saturday, the successfully rescued man was wearing a life jacket.
“Having and easy access to life jackets made a significant difference in the outcome of this tragic event,” Bertrand said.
Wood Lake, 34 meters deep, is just south of Kalamalka Lake. It is known as a popular trout fishing destination.
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