11-year-old boy drowns at Wasa Lake

An 11-year-old boy lost his life in Wasa Lake on Sunday when an inflated tube flipped over.

Kimberley RCMP officials said the boy was among a group of three children who were onboard when it flipped due to strong winds and rough waters.

Officers and a resident used a boat to look for the boy.

Within minutes, the search team found him under the surface.

Police said an officer jumped into the lake, brought the child onboard and attempted CPR on the way back to shore, where BC Emergency Health Services and STARS Air Ambulance were waiting.

The child was taken to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

“I would like to thank the public for their assistance and recognize the heroic efforts of my officers, other first responders and the public at this tragic event,” said Kimberly RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Steven Woodcox.

“Kimberly RCMP Victim Services are engaged with the family and are supporting them during this trying time.”

This tragedy comes off the back of the BC Coroner’s report looking into the province’s drowning deaths over the last decade.

BC interior records the highest number of drowning deaths in the province.