Okanagan Lake

UPDATE: Police say body of missing diver recovered

Jun 1, 2021 | 12:10 PM

UPDATE:

A tip from the public helped end the long search for a missing firefighter in Okanagan Lake.

RCMP say on Tuesday, June 1, just after 7:00 a.m., a member of the public located what appeared to be a body of a diver in the water just south of the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna.

“The body has been brought to shore, and the West Kelowna RCMP will be working with the BC Coroners Service as it continues its investigation,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said.

RCMP divers and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue have been involved in a search of the lake since 52-year-old Brian Lannon, a Kamloops fire captain, went missing May 15, 2021 while recreationally diving near the bridge.

Police say the search has now concluded.

“We would like to thank our partners with the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR), and the Kelowna and Kamloops Fire and Rescue for all their efforts over the past few weeks conducting this search,” S/Sgt. Duncan Dixon of the West Kelowna RCMP, said. “We would also like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers who are experiencing this terrible loss.”

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Lake search resumes for missing firefighter May 30, 2021 | 1:00 PM

KELOWNA – The search has resumed for a missing and presumed drowned man in Okanagan Lake.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) said Sunday (May 30) their volunteers and RCMP divers are scouring the water at the east end of Bennett Bridge after two possible areas were identified by sonar.

“So far teams have been out 10 days searching for missing Kamloops firefighter Brian Lannon,” a news release from COSAR stated.

The 52-year-old Lannon went missing May 15 after failing to resurface while recreational diving with other divers near City Park in Kelowna.

Brian Lannon, a member of Kamloops Fire Rescue since 1994, is presumed dead after a diving accident in Kelowna (Image Credit: Contributed)

Boaters are asked to not cross under the east side of Bennett Bridge today as their wake can create turbidity, making it harder to see images.

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