By Gary McKenna and Monisha Martins
Black Press
Authorities are urging swimmers to be cautious in area lakes and rivers after two young men drowned in separate incidents in the last week.
The first occurred at Alouette Lake last Thursday when a 21-year-old Port Coquitlam man drowned shortly before 4 p.m.
He and his friends were in the public swimming area when he disappeared under the water.
Emergency officials said they did not know how long the man was submerged; it's believed he was under for at least 20 minutes.
He was pulled from the lake by friends and brought to shore.
Nurses on the beach administered CPR before emergency personnel arrived.
The man has been identified as Jacob Rutzen Gibbs. He is described in his obituary as a devout Canucks fan who loved the outdoors, road hockey, the Grouse Grind and Vanilla Coke.
CPR PERFORMED
"The investigation into the drowning is in its early stages, therefore it is too early to say what the cause was," said Cpl. Alanna Dunlop with Ridge Meadows RCMP.
A second drowning occurred at Sasamat Lake on Sunday, when a swimmer in distress was pulled from the water.
The 24-year-old man, who has not been identified, was said to be in critical condition after he was airlifted to hospital from White Pine beach. But the B.C. Coroners Service confirmed Monday that the man had died.
Park goers helped pull the victim to shore, where park staff and police, who arrived shortly after 1:30 p.m., were able to conduct CPR.
"This person was airlifted to hospital," said Barbara McLintock, a coroner with the service. "Unfortunately, he didn't make it. Our investigation is quite in the preliminary stages."
A service was to be held today (Wednesday) for Rutzen Gibbs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canuck Place in his memory.
