An investigation is now underway after a man drowned in White Rock.
A concerned citizen called the RCMP just after midnight when they spotted a person swimming just off the pier.
Officers walked out on to the pier, spoke to the male swimmer and said he did not appear to be in distress. But police say he continued to swim away and eventually the officers lost sight of the man.
That is when RCMP called the coast guard and search and rescue.
After an hour, the man was found unresponsive in the water. Rescuers attempted to revive the man for about 20 minutes but he could not be saved.
The BC Coroners Service is now investigating what happened, along with the RCMP.
“The White Rock RCMP detachment were on a foot patrol and were advised of a male wading in the water,” B.C. RCMP regional duty officer Insp. Stephen Corp told Global News. “It then went from them locating the male in the water to a co-ordinated search and rescue effort.
The Independent Investigations Office says it was notified of the incident but will not be investigating.
The man has been identified as a 59-year-old resident from White Rock. His name has not been released at this time.