Body of cliff jumper recovered from lake

The body of a 33-year-old Alberta man has now been recovered from Okanagan Lake.

That came after an an extensive search by the West Kelowna RCMP, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team and the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team.

On Saturday (August 1) at 2:40 p.m., West Kelowna RCMP responded to a call of a man who had not resurfaced while cliff jumping near Rattlesnake Island on Okanagan Lake.

“The depth of the water as well as the topography of the lake made the recovery of the deceased very challenging,” said Sgt Joel Glen of the West Kelowna RCMP. “We would like to extend our thanks for the hard work of COSAR, Peachland Fire and Rescue, as well our team. Our heartfelt condolences go out the family and loved ones of the deceased.”

Criminality is not suspected in the death.

The BC Coroners Service is investigating to determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death.

The man’s name is not being released.

In a media release, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue said its boat team located the body in the waters off Squally Point.

“In all, COSAR spend 16 hours over three days onboard their 30-foot landing craft, The Sweatman, scanning Okanagan Lake with underwater cameras. The body was discovered Monday morning in 150 feet of water, approximately 25 feet from the cliff face. RCMP were notified and decided to delay the announcement and retrieval until they were better able to do so,” said the release.

COSAR concluded the release by saying each year more people drown in Okanagan Lake than in any other lake in B.C.