UPDATE: RCMP say they have recovered the body of a man missing in Westwood Lake.
RCMP say an adult man is believed to have drowned in Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
A witness saw the man’s canoe tip over and then saw him fall into the lake Monday afternoon. Despite efforts from an off-duty Nanaimo Mountie and Nanaimo Fire and Rescue crews, the man could not be found.
The off-duty Mountie heard the man yelling and then saw him in the water near his canoe. The officer then swam out a short distance towards the man but due to the frigid water he was unable to reach him before losing sight of him.
City of Nanaimo Fire and Rescue were on scene within seven minutes and launched a rescue boat but were also not able to find him.
Officers with the RCMP Dive team are expected to begin searching the lake this morning and will be continuing the investigation.