COCHRANE— Cochrane RCMP was on scene on the banks of the Bow River after a bystander saw what they believed to be a body floating downstream Thursday (July 29).
A report came in at roughly 2 p.m. and Cochrane’s emergency services quickly dispatched crews to the scene.
“We initially got a call from a bystander who felt that they had seen what could have been a body floating by in the river, so RCMP and Cochrane Fire, we both deployed boats,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff with the Cochrane RCMP.
During the search, the body of a 35-year-old man from Cochrane was located one kilometre down river from the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge.
Thursday’s drowning has been ruled non-suspicious. No additional information is expected at this time and next of kin have been informed.
Deputy fire chief Jared Wallace said Cochrane Fire Services received the call to assist RMCP in the recovery efforts on the Bow River.
The Cochrane Fire Services’ Technical Rescue Team along with RCMP located an individual who was declared dead on scene and transported to the shore.
Members of the Technical Rescue Team attend events on the river frequently, Wallace said, but rarely see a deceased individual found in the waters.
On Sunday (Aug. 1) Cochrane RCMP responded to a reported drowning at the Ironman Race in Rocky View County.
RCMP received a call at 7:55 a.m. reporting a drowning at Harmony Lake.
Upon arriving on the scene, the victim, a 47-year-old Ontario man, had been located by Ironman Race volunteers in the water. Volunteers retrieved the man from the water, began CPR and called EMS.
The victim died on scene.
RCMP has confirmed the victim was one of the competitors in the Ironman Race and next of kin have been notified.
A medical examiner has been contacted by RCMP and will assist in determining the cause of death.
“There has been an absolutely off the chart number of drownings this year,” said Cochrane RCMP Cpl. Susan Richter. “We’re close to 20 in the province now.”
Incidents on the water have occurred under several different circumstances, she said, urging those who visit the water to practice caution.
She noted water conditions can change quickly and it is important to be prepared.
To stay safe Richter recommended wearing a personal flotation device while out on the water and never mixing drugs or alcohol with recreational water sports. She added you should also let people know where you are going, what you are doing and try to never go out on the water alone.
