Woman dies after fall into creek

May 11, 2023 | 1:25 PM

Police are reporting a tragic incident in a West Kelowna park.

RCMP and West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) were advised that a 68-year old woman slipped while taking a photo on a rock and fell into fast-flowing Powers Creeks in Glen Canyon Regional Park around 10 a.m. this morning (May 11).

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as Elaine Hughes-Games, a professional potter and the president of the Okanagan Potters Association.

“Members from the fire department and RCMP searched the banks of the creek and located the woman a short distance from where she was last seen. Tragically, she was pronounced deceased shortly after being located,” Const. Michael Della-Paolera stated.

Della-Paolera said the death will affect many, and RCMP are grateful for the quick response from officers and the West Kelowna fire department who risked their lives to locate the woman quickly.

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“Our hearts are with the family of this woman,” the officer said.

Della-Paolera added there are no criminal concerns and the BC Coroners Service will take the conduct of the investigation.

Lionel Bateman, assistant fire chief of WKFR, said the woman slipped into the creek and was swept away by heavy spring stream flows.

“The patient was later located in Okanagan Lake. RCMP were able to access the patient and bring her to shore where BCAS began treatment. The female patient was reported to be in critical condition,” Bateman said.

WKFR is reminding people that with the warmer weather and a significant snowpack still melting, creek flows are at a very high level which creates very hazardous conditions. People should stay clear of river and creek banks during this time.

by Pete McIntyre

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