New Hazelton RCMP say a 16-year-old boy is believed to have drowned while swimming with two friends at Seeley Lake Provincial Park on Sunday night.
They were called to the park, which is located about 8 km west of New Hazelton, at about 5:12 p.m.
Police were told two young men were yelling for help on an island, about 100 feet from shore. They told RCMP they were all swimming to the island, but halfway across their friend panicked and went under the water.
RCMP and BC Conservation Officers started looking from boats for the young man. Search and Rescue and Emergency Health Services also attended to the scene.
As they were staging the command post, the young man’s body was found by RCMP members.
The two friends, aged 16 and 17, who were brought back to shore from the island, received medical attention for shock and non life threatening injuries.
All three youth were from the New Hazelton area. Smithers Community Victim services have been assisting all the families involved in this tragic incident.
The BC Coroner Service has now taken jurisdiction of the incident.
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