https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/news/one-dead-on-cowichan-river-at-marie-canyon/
A 56-year-old Vancouver man has died tubing on the Cowichan River.
On Monday, Aug. 29 just after 6:30 p.m. the Lake Cowichan RCMP were called to help with an incident at Marie Canyon off of Riverbottom Road in Lake Cowichan.
The identity of the victim has not been released by police.
According Sgt. Chris Manseau, Acting Senior Media Relations Officer for the BC RCMP, witnesses reported the man had been tubing with friends and had planned to get out of the water before the Marie Canyon rapids but he was unable to so.
“The friends of the deceased lost sight of him, but later located him approximately 500 meters down the river,” Manseau said. “When the man was found he was in immediate medical distress, and first aid measures were given immediately.”
Paramedics and members of the Lake Cowichan Fire Department also assisted with life saving measures but the man died at the scene, police said.
“The Cowichan River is a very popular spot for tubing and swimming, and the RCMP want to remind those partaking to use caution as sudden changes in the river can cause unforeseen hazards,” Manseau said. “Though important, swimming skills alone aren’t always enough to save a life. Many drowning incidents involve other factors that swimming skills alone cannot prepare an individual for.”
The Lake Cowichan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating.
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Note from a paddler with 100+ laps on this section:
SAR advise against paddling it - "Tubers are urged to stick to the stretch of river between Lake Cowichan and Little Beach, officials say."
https://www.cheknews.ca/search-and-rescue-officials-urge-care-for-those-tubing-on-cowichan-river-1055534/?amp
The section where this occurred, is as what is considered by most as an un-runnable rapid at summer/tubing flows, located at the end of the run. If a river user doesn't take out above the drop in time, they are likely committed to running it. The flow narrows into a narrow channel, where there is a large rock located at head height for anyone in a boat/tube. It has been the site of numerous prior fatalities. As well as discouraging tubing of this section, local authorities are installing improved signage above the drop.
