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Searchers locate missing cliff jumper’s body
Columbia Valley RCMP and other searchers yesterday morning located the body of an Invermere man who disappeared after cliff jumping at Twin Lake.
On June 21, at approximately 7:58 p.m., RCMP received a 911 call that had a poor connection. Based on the limited information gathered from this call police were able to determine that they needed to attend to Twin Lake off of Westrock Mine Road, east of Windermere.
Police attended there and learned that a 38-year-old Invermere man, along with some friends and family, had decided to attend to the lake to go cliff jumping, reported Columbia Valley Detachment Cpl. Grant Simpson.
“This is something that he had done at this lake since he was a young boy. The man climbed up a cliff that encompasses half of the lake and was approximately 40 to 60 feet high when he jumped from and hit the water awkwardly. After his jump into the water, the male did not surface,” Simpson related in a press release. “His jump into the water was witnessed by several friends and family members, so when he did not surface after a few moments a couple of them attempted to swim to his location to assist him but were unable to find him in the murky green water.”
Columbia Valley Search and Rescue was activated along with Windermere Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service.
The waters and shoreline were searched; however, the male was not seen or located.
The RCMP Dive Team member was also advised but unable to take action due to the encroaching nightfall and unknown depths of this remote lake. A plan was set in place for the scene to be secured by police until morning when other emergency services personnel would return to determine the depth and characteristics of the lake and its waters.
The following morning Search and Rescue and Panorama Fire Department returned to the scene.
A small boat was used to probe and search the lake with the use of an underwater camera. A depth sounder was utilized to determine that the lake was 90 feet at its deepest point.
Based on the information gathered, an RCMP dive team was assembled from various locations throughout the province and was able to conduct a safe and controlled dive the follow morning.
At approximately 10:20 a.m. on June 23, the man’s body was located and recovered at roughly the 40 foot depth of the lake.
BC Coroners Service was on scene at this time and have assumed the investigation into this tragic accident.
The Columbia Valley RCMP extend their sympathy to the grieving family, friends and community.
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