March 28, 2024

Spike in drowning deaths prompts warning

The BC Coroners Service is concerned about a 50 percent spike in drowning deaths this summer.

Coroner Barb McLintock says 34 people have drowned so far in various incidents and she’s urging the public to remember basic water safety procedures, such as staying sober.

“It is a truism that alcohol and boating don’t mix, alcohol and swimming don’t mix, alcohol doesn’t mix with water-related activities.

“It does impair your judgment, it does impair your coordination, it makes it harder for you to self-rescue if something goes wrong. So we really encourage people to think about water-related activities and alcohol just like you do about driving and alcohol.”

McLintock says there seems to a variety of causes for the increase in deaths including higher-than-normal river levels in the Interior.   

CKNW Vancouver News

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