A BC Coroners report shows that 2022 was the second deadliest year over the past decade for drowning deaths.
The report states that 86 people died last year, with most drownings occurring in rivers and creeks, followed by lakes and ponds.
The Fraser River had the most deaths at 53, followed by the Thompson River (9) and the Columbia River (8).
Okanagan Lake was the deadliest lake in the province for drownings at 30, followed by Harrison Lake (12) and Shuswap Lake (9).
Of all the deaths over the past 10 years, 78 per cent were male, with those aged 19-29 accounting for 21 per cent of drownings, followed by 50–59-year-olds at 17 per cent.
The most common activities associated with drownings were boating, swimming, and falling into water, with the summer months (June-August) seeing the most fatalities.
Alcohol and drugs were found to be a contributing factor in 38 per cent of deaths, although the report states that there may have been more than one contributing factor.
The deadliest year over the past decade was 2020 with 87 drownings.
@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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