Time: Prior to 3:30 pm Thursday
Tucelnuit Lake at Rotary Beach

Young teenager walking on ice fell through – in water for 20+ mins.

Emergency Crews rushed to scene. One person jumped into lake to rescue but ice prevented him getting to victim. Other personnel used a float board and a canoe to get closer and at about 10 to 4 were able to get the boy into the boat, to shore, into an ambulance and off to the hospital. Would be treated for hypothermia. OFD spokesman Rob Graham: “I bet he was exhausted.” He spoke to Global Okanagan : “I don’t know how long he’d been there when we arrived on scene, but at that point hypothermia can become a problem, if he’s been in the water for a long period of time.”

The boy lives just south of the location. His mother, father and other relatives rushed to the scene.

Oliver Fire Department, Ambulance and police responded.

Now confirmed (below)- first person in the water attempting a rescue a member of the RCMP – he could not break the ice to get near enough. About ten+ mins more before boats and paddle could break the ice. One rescuer with a full dive wet suit attempted to get to the teenager on a paddle board.  Several times a rope-line thrown to the victim.

Charlotte Burbeck:

“I was the person the brother flagged down telling me his brother was in the lake and we called it in to 911. I cannot say enough about the thoughtless action of the first RCMP officer on the scene – without hesitation he was in the water trying to reach the young fellow – absolutely amazing – thank goodness the outcome was as good as it was – it was a very helpless feeling there being there watching and all you could do was comfort and reassure the family.”