Man pulled from water at Birds Hill Park Saturday had just become a Canadian citizen

WINNIPEG — The man pulled from the water at Birds Hill Park Saturday has been identified by friends to Global News as 22-year-old Jean-Baptiste Ajua.

RCMP said he was found unresponsive in the water at 4:45 p.m. and was transported to a Winnipeg hospital. The search started at around 3 p.m. Saturday by Beach Safety Officers and volunteers.

READ MORE: 22 year old pulled from water at Birds Hill has died

At 8 p.m. Saturday RCMP confirmed the man died.

University of Manitoba Bisons track and field and cross country head coach Claude Berube said Ajua was a kind and gentle person and also a talented young runner.

“JB, as he was known by his teammates, was well liked by all. He also had a busy and balanced life juggling school, work, family life, while performing very well,” said Berube.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "JB, as he was known by his teammates, was well liked by all. He also had a busy and balanced life juggling school, work, family life, while performing very well," said Berube.

Berube said he was a member of the University’s varsity team in the 2013-14 season. He also competed on the cross country team at the CIS Championships and was a Canada West All-Star.

Ajua’s friend said the 22-year-old recently got his Canadian citizenship.

“We were preparing for our African league of Manitoba Final game against Nigeria and it was supposed to be today the 21st,” said Ajua’s close friend Theophile Tuyisingize.

“I have so much respect to this guy and all of us team mates friends will always have him in our hearts,” added Tuyisingize.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I have so much respect to this guy and all of us team mates friends will always have him in our hearts," added Tuyisingize.

On Sunday, just the day after Ajua was pulled from the water, beach-goers returned for the day. Some complaining about the lack of lifeguards at Birds Hill Provincial Park.

“What surprised me is the lifeguards we used to think of are no longer life guards. They’re beach patrol and responsible of telling people about safety, but not being a lifeguard,” said one beach-goer.

On Sunday, the province emailed a statement to Global News extending sincerest sympathies to those dealing with the tragedy.

The spokesperson also responded to concerns about the Beach Safety Program in Manitoba provincial parks. The spokesperson explained there are other safety measures in place, including signage, brochures, buoy lines and risk management planning. Telling Global News in the email that individuals are responsible for themselves, their families, and groups while on provincial park beaches.

The statement explained that there are 44 total beach safety officers at Birds Hill Provincial Park. With a maximum of 20 staff on during peak times at Birds Hill.

The spokesperson for the province said there was an inquest in the late 80’s or early 90’s that recommended against providing lifeguard services.

They added, “On a beach with many hundreds of people, this service would be almost impossible to provide.”