Man who drowned in B.C.’s Fraser River was former UBC football player

The man whose body was recovered from the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., on Monday has been identified as a former UBC football player.

Kory Conner Hedeo Nagata, 24, was swept away on Sunday after jumping into the water to retrieve a football near Pier 73 by the Pacific Gateway Hotel, police said. He wasn’t able to make it to a nearby dock and disappeared from view.

Two bystanders jumped in to help, but were unable to rescue him before pulling themselves to safety.

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An extensive search was launched, with Coast Guard and RCMP ATVs and drones, as well as Richmond Fire Rescue.

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His body was found shortly before noon on Monday.

In a release, RCMP said the river’s unpredictable nature during the runoff season appears to have played a significant role in what happened.

Hypothermia may also have been a factor.

It is not yet clear whether alcohol was involved, police said.

— With files from Jennifer Palma