Drowning victims’ families form underwater search and recovery society

Friends and family of three recent drowning victims are hoping to prevent other such tragedies by forming an underwater search and recovery society.

In April, Langley teens Austin Kingsborough and Brendan Wilson drowned in Nicola Lake, outside of Merritt. More than a week later, 58-year-old Jack Poole of Calgary died in the waters of Shuswap Lake. In both cases, the RCMP dive team failed to find their bodies.

In an attempt to find their bodies, an Idaho couple was called in and they were able to find the missing bodies using specialized sonar equipment.

Recognizing the need for this type of specialty, which will allow family and friends to have closure in the deaths of loved ones, the Legacy Water Search and Recovery Society has been formed.

They’re hoping to raise $350,000 to purchase the equipment and vessels.