Eli Buruca, the kayaker who went missing on Kalamalka Lake July 24, and his mother (submitted photo)

By Liam Verster

Kalamalka Lake

Body of missing kayaker located

Aug 16, 2023 | 2:38 PM

The body of the man who went missing on Kalamalka Lake while kayaking last month has been located.

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say the body of 26-year-old Eli Buruca was found in deep water at the north of Kalamalka Lake near Coldstream and was recovered by the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team Wednesday, August 16.

Buruca went missing during a storm on the night of July 24 and was presumed to have drowned the following week.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” Corporal Tania Finn of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, stated.

“We would like to thank the efforts of all those who assisted with the search, especially the Rolston family who travelled to the Okanagan.”

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Gene and Sandy Rolston are an American couple from Idaho who use specialized underwater sonar equipment to search for missing people. They were brought to the area in early August to assist with the search for Buruca.

Police say the search for Travis Van Hill, the captain of a fishing vessel who went missing when his vessel overturned on Okanagan Lake near Ellison Provincial Park during that same storm July 24, is ongoing and that the Rolstons will be assisting with that operation.

Boaters and lake users are urged to give searchers a wide berth so as to not interfere with their efforts.