Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed a young adult man has died after drowning at Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake on Wednesday.
The incident unfolded at around 8 p.m. after a young adult man experienced a medical emergency while swimming on June 7th.
According to Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien, spokesperson for Nanaimo RCMP, the victim, accompanied by friends, was returning to a swim dock when he suddenly went into distress.
Witnesses on the scene performed CPR on the man for an extended period of time until emergency crews arrived.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue, BC Ambulance, and RCMP promptly responded to the distress call, and the resuscitation efforts proved successful.
The man was then transported to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for further treatment, however, he succumbed to his injuries around 5 a.m. Thursday morning.
Friends of the victim said he was a 19-year-old student of Vancouver Island University (VIU) and is from India.
In an official statement released on Thursday afternoon, Deborah Saucier, President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University (VIU), confirmed the devastating news that the deceased individual was a student enrolled at the institution.
Saucier expressed her deepest condolences on behalf of the university, extending sympathies to the student’s family, friends, and the entire VIU community.
“VIU has been in contact with the student’s family, who are overseas, to provide as much support as possible,” said Saucier.
VIU has taken immediate action to offer counseling services, both in-person on campus and through virtual channels, for students and staff in need of emotional support. Saucier encouraged the entire VIU community to stay connected and reach out to one another during this heartbreaking period.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends, and we stand together as a community in their time of profound sorrow,” Saucier expressed.
