Emergency services tended to a man who was found next to a capsized kayak around 2:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

KAYAK ACCIDENT

Man dies after being found near capsized kayak in Departure Bay

Mar 21, 2022 | 4:53 PM

NANAIMO — A man has died after apparently capsizing his kayak.

Calls to 911 came in shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, after a kayak was seen floating in the water around 200 yards south of Battersea Rd., midway between the Departure Bay beach and ferry terminal.

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the Nanaimo Port Authority attended the scene, who in parternship with Nanaimo RCMP brought the man to shore.

“The kayaker and the kayak were located…our members waded out in very shallow water to bring the individual to shore. EHS took over, performed emergency first aid and continued first aid while the individual was taken to Nanaimo hospital.”

Physicians at the hospital pronounced the man deceased. O’Brien said no identity is being released at this time, while cause of death or the circumstances around it are still being investigated.

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“At this point, the BC Coroners Service has been advised and will probably be taking over the indication,” O’Brien said.

Crews on scene worked on the individual for at least an hour before he was moved via an awaiting ambulance.

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