UPDATED: Victim identified in yesterday's drowning near Christina Lake
By Kyra Hoggan
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died while canoeing on a small, private lake near Christina Lake on Aug. 9.
The man is Richard Arthur Thomas, aged 78, from Christina Lake.
The Coroners Service is continuing to investigate this death.
The family of Mr. Thomas has been notified of his death.
Previous story:
A 78-year-old man has died at Moody Lake (near Christina Lake), continuing what has been a wrenching summer for the area, with six drownings in the Kootenay / Boundary regions this year and one death caused by an intense wind storm at Pines Bible Camp.
According to RCMP Staff Sgt. Dan Seibel , the man fell out of his canoe while cutting weeds from the lake at roughly 9:30 Thursday morning (Moody Lake is a man-made lake on private property located approximately three kilometers west of Christina Lake.)
“The subject fell out of his canoe and attempted to climb back, but then disappeared under the water,” Seibel said.
“He was not wearing a life jacket. B.C. Ambulance and Christina Lake Fire and Rescue was called to the scene, and the subject was later located (rougly) 50 feet from shore and about eight to 12 feet under the water’s surface.
“The B.C. Coroner Service has taken over as the lead agency in this investigation.”
Seibel said the name of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. The victim was a resident of Christina Lake.
RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said Christina Lake has seen more than its fair share of tragedy this season.
“It seemed to have been kind of a vortex of unfortunate incidents in that area this summer,” he said.
“We certainly appreciate the efforts that go into (emergency services) attending these critical incidents.
“Our volunteer groups who, time and time again, go out and cope with these situations in such a professional manner – we certainly empathise with, and appreciate, them.”
Comments