On August 7, 2011, at about 2am, Norway House RCMP members were alerted that a male, believed to be intoxicated, had gone into the Nelson River. At the time of the call, RCMP members were on patrol at the Fort Island Arena in Norway House where a social was concluding.
RCMP officers spotted the male in the river with their flashlights and observed the male swimming away from shore. Officers were able to make contact with the male to return to shore and while he began swimming back towards shore, he disappeared underneath the surface.
A local resident, along with a Norway House RCMP member entered the water and searched for the man. He was found underwater about 50 feet from shore and towed back to shore. CPR was initiated by two other RCMP officers on scene until an ambulance arrived.
He was taken to the Norway House Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The deceased has been identified as an 18-year-old man from Cross Lake FN. His family has been notified and the deceased’s name is not being released.
Alcohol is considered a contributing factor.
