An Edmonton man is dead after drowning on Sunday (May 31) afternoon in the Johnston Canyon area in Banff National Park.
An Edmonton man is dead after drowning on Sunday (May 31) afternoon in the Johnston Canyon area in Banff National Park.
A 911 call stated the 28-year-old hiker had fallen in the cold water at Johnston Creek about 42 kilometres northwest from Banff near one of the lower waterfalls.
RCMP responded with the assistance of Parks Canada Search and Rescue shortly after 5 p.m. The body was recovered at approximately 6 p.m. after being located by helicopter on a gravel bar in the middle of the creek about 200 metres upstream from where Johnston Creek meets the Bow River.
Police are still investigating the incident and are not releasing the name of the man.
Brian Webster, Parks visitor safety specialist, says at this time of year the river is very cold and anyone in any water like this is a serious event.
“Where the person ended up is just before the lower falls and it’ s very rapid at the point for quite a duration so it’ s fast moving water in a canyon,” Webster said.
The Outlook will update the story when more information becomes available.
