Kelowna RCMP are investigating after a body was discovered floating in the waters of Okanagan Lake at Gyro Beach along Lakeshore Road in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday afternoon.
“On April 21, 2019 at 2:23 p.m., RCMP received a report of what appeared to be a person floating face down in the Okanagan Lake,” police said in a news release.
“Kelowna RCMP front-line officers responded to the scene alongside paramedics of B.C. Emergency Health Services and the Kelowna Fire Department.”
The coroner has arrived on the scene and the beach remains taped off. The public is being asked to avoid the area.
“The investigation remains in its early stages at this time, as police work alongside the coroner to identify the deceased,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“Once the individual is identified, our next priority will be to properly notify their next of kin.”
A young boy, accompanied by his father, told Global Okanagan that he came down to the water to go for a swim and spotted the body of a fully clothed woman floating 15 feet off shore.
“My dad and I were heading to the beach… I rushed into the water… I’m about five metres away from the sand, I look down and I see a dead body,” said Charles Duerden’s son.
“I’m spooked. Definitely not going to forget about this anytime soon,” he said.
Police have not said whether the death appears to be accidental or suspicious in nature.