BC Interior posted Jun 26, 2024 @ 11:30am by Josh Duncan

‘Tragic event’: 11-year-old drowns in BC Interior lake despite ‘heroic’ rescue efforts

A drowning incident claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy in the Kootenays over the weekend.

The tragic incident happened on Sunday at Wasa Lake, which is near Kimberley and Cranbrook off Hwy 95.

According to police, the boy was one of three children on an inflatable tube that flipped over due to high winds and rough waters.

Sadly, the boy did not make it back to shore.

Members of the Kimberley RCMP rushed to the scene and a local resident brought them onto the lake on their boat.

Within minutes, the child was spotted beneath the surface and an officer jumped into the water, pulled him onto the boat and initiated CPR.

<who>Photo Credit: Jonathan “Madchef111” Spratt/Google Photos

He was then brought to shore where paramedics and a STARS air ambulance, dispatched from Calgary, were waiting.

The boy was rushed to East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals he was later declared dead.

“I would like to thank the public for their assistance and recognize the heroic efforts of my officers, other first responders and the public at this tragic event,” said Sgt. Steven Woodcox.

Woodcox added that Kimberley RCMP Victim Services are engaged with the family and are supporting them during this difficult time.

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