Ponoka RCMP release details on drowning incident

PONOKA -- Ponoka RCMP have released official details on last week's drowning incident at Lions Centennial Park.

Police say they were called to the park located along Highway 2A shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, after receiving a call about a male who had been calling for help in the middle of the fishing pond. Ponoka RCMP, Ponoka County Fire Services, and EMS responded to the scene a short time later.

It's reported that upon their arrival, nearby witnesses communicated to emergency crews that the male had gone under the water and had not resurfaced. Search efforts were immediately launched in hopes of retrieving the male individual, however, police say he was not able to be located.

The following morning, on Friday, July 17, additional Search and Rescue crews arrived on scene, and a search for the male continued. It was then that they were able to recover the man's body. Ponoka RCMP describe the deceased individual as a 62-year-old resident of Ponoka. 

The tragic incident came mere days ahead of National Drowning Prevention Week, which is recognized each year to bring attention to the many drowning incidents that take place across the country each year. This comes as there were 13 fatal drownings and 9 non-fatal drowning incidents reported in Alberta in 2025.

"With regards to water safety, one of the big things is prevention," said Cpl. Mathew Howell, Alberta RCMP. "Some of the things you can do for prevention is make sure that you're always wearing either a life jacket or safety equipment when you're boating or swimming in any area, you're unfamiliar with. Make sure that if you do go into water, that you go into waters that are known."

Cpl. Howell encourages residents to also refrain from swimming alone and to never overestimate swimming abilities. It also helps to wear bright coloured clothing in the water, so that if something does happen, people will be able to see you more easily. 

More than 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents every year.