It comes after a 33-year-old man died this week at Pine Point Rapids in Whiteshell Provincial Park. RCMP officers were told the man was with a youth who was not in the water. There were other people in the area and one person tried to help but was unable to save the man who began to struggle in the rapids. “When it got into the deeper part of the water after the rapids, I guess it’s pretty choppy with a little bit of current, it started struggling and it sounds like it went through pretty quickly and didn’t resurface,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre. The incident, which was reported to officers at around 4pm on August 9, happened on the Whiteshell River where the rapids are located. Manaigre said flows are still heavier than normal due to high water levels and the man was not wearing a personal flotation device or PFD. A bystander who jumped into the water to try to help the man was unable to reach him in time, according to Manaigre. On Wednesday afternoon an RCMP dive team recovered the man’s body. “It’s a tragic incident that unfortunately he didn’t make it,” Manaigre said. Based on police and media reports, it is the 11th fatal drowning so far in Manitoba in 2022 compared to 10 at this time last year. The majority have occurred in natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. To keep you and your children safe, the Manitoba Lifesaving Society said you should always swim or boat with a friend, wear a personal flotation device or life jacket when necessary and make sure children are always actively supervised and in breathing distance. it’s under seven. “If you’re boating, if you’re doing water sports, you have to wear a life jacket. Not just there, but here,” said Christopher Love, Water Smart and safety management coordinator with the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba. “And if they’re little kids, you can use that as an added layer of protection, even if they know how to swim.” Love said people should also consider water conditions. Due to strong water currents, changing topography and rocks and trees in the water can pose hazards. “You can’t take for granted what you might have known about a location before,” Love said. “And be aware that conditions may very well have changed or are still in the process of changing. “One drowning death is one too many and it’s something we always want to educate people about so we can prevent any future tragedies from happening out there.” Love said you should never swim or boat when drunk.
