Calgary man drowns in Shuswap Lake

CHASE – A Calgary man is believed to be dead after jumping from a houseboat into Shuswap Lake to rescue a hat that had blown off a friend’s head.

The RCMP in Sicamous is weighing the recovery options following the drowning in the narrows area of the lake last weekend.

Kevin Boutilier, 25, of Calgary is missing and presumed drowned. RCMP, B.C. Ambulance and Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the drowning at 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 24.

Boutilier was one of a group of people on the rented houseboat that leaped into the water when someone’s hat blew off.

“At the time, the weather was becoming inclement and rough water conditions caused the houseboat to drift away,” RCMP Sgt. Dave Dubnyk said.

Two of the people in the water started to have trouble swimming and one of them didn’t make it back to the boat.

“One individual was last seen in distress and was seen going under the surface several times,” Dubnyk said. “(The individual) did not resurface despite of one of his friends being alongside him attempting to assist.”

Everyone else made it back to the houseboat safely.

There was an extensive search for Boutilier last weekend. It included two marine rescue boats and the RCMP helicopter. No sign was found of the missing man who was last seen wearing red shorts.

The search included the area of Shuswap Lake where the Calgary man went under and the shorelines in the area.

The Sicamous RCMP and Victim Services staff are providing support to Boutilier’s family and friends.

To contact the reporter for this story, email chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230.