U.S. kayaker drowns after two kayaks capsize in Okanagan Lake
West Kelowna RCMP reminds paddlers to wear life-jackets after incident near Westbank First Nations Beach
By Cheryl Chan
Last updated 6 hours ago
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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.
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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.”
