Edmonton man drowns at Banff’s Johnston Canyon

Public urged to be cautious of higher- than- normal water levels

A 28- year- old Edmonton man is dead after drowning in a pool of water at Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park.

At approximately 4: 45 p. m. Sunday, a woman made a 9- 1- 1 call reporting she saw the man in Johnston’s creek, in the vicinity of the lower falls of the Johnston Canyon trail, said Brian Webster of Banff visitor safety department.

Webster confirmed the woman “was quite distressed,” seeing the man “struggling, but not able to get out.”

Following a search of the creek, a Banff visitor safety specialist found the man at approximately 6 p. m.

“He was located face down, on a gravel bar, approximately 200 metres upstream from where Johnston’s creek meets the Bow River,” Webster said.

STARS air ambulance service and Banff EMS attended the scene, among other first responders.

A STARS nurse and paramedic worked on the man, trying to unsuccessfully to revive him. He was declared dead on scene, Webster said.

He said this type of event is “extremely uncommon,” and that he’s “not aware of any other drownings in that area.”

The man’s body was then transported to the Calgary Medical Examiners office for an autopsy.

RCMP are investigating the man’s death, confirmed Cpl. Sharon Franks.

Franks said there’s no indication of alcohol in the initial report into the man’s death.

She reminded people to be cautious of higher- than- normal water levels, especially in “back country areas.”

“This is a tragic event and Parks Canada would like to extend condolences to the friends and the family of the persons involved,” said Webster.

He was located face down, on a gravel bar … upstream from where Johnston’s creek meets the Bow River.