Man drowns in channel

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.

The Penticton RCMP has confirmed the 20-year-old victim was pronounced deceased upon arrival at hospital. The B.C. Corners Service will continue to investigate.  

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.

A 20-year-old man is feared drowned, after getting tangled up on the Green Mountain Road bridge while floating down the Penticton channel.

Emergency crews were called to the bridge at 3:18 p.m. for a male in distress. The man had been floating down the river with his four friends when their rafts became entangled on the bridge support. The other four people were able to make it to shore.

“It appears the male was unable to keep himself above water, he was screaming for help,” Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said. “When we attended, it was determined the male had been underwater for approximately 5-10 minutes.”

The extremely swift and high water levels prevented a rescue until the Penticton Fire Department's personal water craft arrived.

Once support arrived, firefighters cut the rope and brought the man’s body to shore where waiting paramedics immediately started CPR. He was rushed to hospital. 

ORIGINAL 4:00 p.m.

A man was rushed to Penticton Regional Hospital after his body was pulled from the channel just before 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Emergency personnel, including fire and ambulance, had congregated at the scene after a report of a possible drowning.

The 21-year-old victim is not believed to be a local resident.