UPDATE: Body of drowning victim recovered

The body of a 17-year-old boy who drowned in the Oldman River Wednesday evening has been recovered.

At approximately 9 a.m. members of the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Water Rescue Team located the boy’s body in the area he was last seen near the High Level Bridge.

The body will now be transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Calgary and while there is no evidence to suggest foul play, the police investigation will remain active pending the results of an autopsy. 

Police thank the members of the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Water Rescue Team and Lethbridge and Area Search and Rescue for their assistance.

As this matter is non-criminal in nature, no further information will be released.

Our sincere condolences to the boy’s family and friends. 

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Lethbridge Police are investigating a presumed drowning after a 17-year-old male was reported missing in the Oldman River Wednesday evening.

On June 18, at approximately 7 p.m. police and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a possible drowning after a 17-year-old male, who was attempting to swim across the river, went under the water near the High Level Bridge and did not resurface.

Police deployed a UAV and immediately began an aerial search while members of the LFES Water Rescue Team launched a boat, equipped with sonar, to search the water. A member of the Lethbridge and Area Search and Rescue Association was also called out to help search the banks. The male was not recovered and the search was suspended when it became too dark and unsafe to continue. 

Search efforts resumed earlier this morning and remain ongoing.

Police have interviewed several witnesses and Victim/Witness Services is supporting the boy’s family. At this time there is no evidence to suggest foul play. 

A large area in the river valley near the High Level Bridge, remains cordoned off and the public is directed to stay away and give police and fire personnel space to work. 

Updates will be provided when possible. There will be no media availability at this time.