An 83-year-old Winnipeg man died Tuesday evening while river tubing in Asessippi Provincial Park on the Shell River, in what RCMP are calling a “possible drowning.”
Police say the incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. when family members lost sight of the man. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time and later found unconscious.
Resuscitation efforts were made on the victim before being rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Police haven’t determined the definite cause of death and an autopsy will be performed in the coming days.
The man’s name isn’t being released.
UPDATE: RCMP originally reported the man was tubing at the Asessippi Ski Area and Resort. Police later clarified that the presumed drowning occurred on the Shell River.
Officials at the resort said in a statement that it requires all persons participating in their summer tubing activities to wear life jackets and follow strict safety precautions.
“Due to high water levels in the Shell River caused by recent rains, Asessippi Ski Area and Resort management made the decision earlier this week to suspend tubing operations for this weekend,” general manager Newell Johnston said.
