River channel floater drowns in Penticton
Police say man’s flotation device became stuck under bridge and he was unable to get to shore
A 21-year-old man drowned Wednesday after he became tangled on the Green Avenue bridge pillars while floating with friends on the Okanagan River channel in Penticton.
Penticton RCMP spokesman Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said the victim’s flotation device was roped to those of his friends’, causing the group to get hung up underneath the bridge just after 3 p.m.
“His three friends made it to shore safely, but it appeared the male was unable to keep himself above water — he was screaming for help,” said Wrigglesworth.
“When we attended, it was determined the man had been underwater for approximately five to 10 minutes.”
The man’s body was cut loose by members of the Penticton Fire Department on personal watercraft. They took him to shore, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Wrigglesworth said the rescue was hampered by the high, fast water in the channel, which required specially trained technicians.
The victim’s name has not been released. Wrigglesworth said he was not a resident of Penticton.
City officials have warned people against floating on the channel this summer due to the high water level, and in the past have also cautioned against tying rafts together due to their tendency to get hung up on bridge structures.