Saskatchewan RCMP is advising residents to be aware of the water conditions in lakes and rivers across the province after strong currents caused the disappearances of two children and a young man.
Mounties say the water can look calm, but can also be dangerous so they suggest asking local residents about the strength of the currents and avoid the areas which have strong currents.
Over the past two weeks, RCMP have been called to three water disappearance calls in different parts of the province.
On June 23rd at around 7 p.m., Loon Lake RCMP responded to the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy playing on a sandbar on the southeast end of Makwa Lake. RCMP say the boy was swept away from the sandbar by strong currents. Makwa Lake is located near Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and residents of the First Nation helped in the search for the boy.
Saskatchewan RCMP say the body of the boy has not been recovered and the search continues.
On July 3rd at about 3 p.m., La Ronge RCMP were called to the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy who was swimming in the Sucker River. Mounties say strong currents where the river enters the mouth of Lac La Ronge pulled the boy away from his group.
Search and rescue groups, fire departments and community members aided in the search for the boy. At 7:15 p.m. the same day, the body of the boy was found by Grandmother’s Bay Recovery Team’s underwater ROV. Next-of-kin were notified and Victim Services met with the family.
On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Maidstone RCMP responded to the disappearance of an 18-year-old man who was tubing with friends on the Battle River. The man and friends were on the river, south of Waseca, when a storm rolled in and separated the man from the group.
Several RCMP detachments, search and rescue teams and hundreds of locals searched for the man throughout the night and into the next day.
At 8:30 p.m., the body of the deceased man was found by the Saskatchewan RCMP Underwater Recovery Team. Mounties notified next-of-kin and Victim Services met with the family.
Saskatchewan RCMP would like to thank the many volunteers and professionals who helped with the searches of the three young persons.
For safety tips on open water swimming, including what to do when caught in a current, consult the Canadian Red Cross.