8 year old drowns while canoeing at Poplar Point

An 8 year old boy has died after going missing on a canoeing trip at Poplar Point.

On September 1, 2018, Lac La Biche RCMP responded to a call at Poplar Point in relation to two missing youths who had been out canoeing in the area.

The two youths, aged 8 and 13, had been out canoeing when the winds picked up and a storm moved in. Family and friends lost sight of the youths and their canoe and called for help. RCMP and Fish & Wildlife officers attended the lake and immediately started searching for the youths.

The 13-year-old was located unharmed and was taken to the Lac La Biche hospital for examination. The 8-year-old youth was located a short time later but was unresponsive.  CPR was initiated and the youth was taken to the Lac La Biche hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The names of the deceased will not be released. Lac La Biche Victim Services is providing assistance to family and friends.

The Lac La Biche RCMP would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those involved.