Person found deceased after Search & Rescue mission, Sea-doo accident on Moose Lake

Image shared by Bonnyville Search and Rescue on Facebook following the completion of their mission.

The search for the missing person on Moose Lake concluded on Monday with the person being reunited with the family, but found deceased.

Bonnyville Search and Rescue released information on social media on Monday evening, extending condolences to the family.

In a RCMP press release on Tuesday morning, police say on Sunday morning at 11:58AM they received a report of a potential drowning.

Initial reports indicated that a male was seen operating a Sea-doo with another individual on the water, when both fell off the Sea-doo and one of the males had not resurfaced.

Police say the victim was not wearing a life jacket. An initial search conducted by emergency services was unsuccessful in locating the victim.

On Monday at 5:22PM, Bonnyville RCMP with assistance from an underwater search team, Alberta Search and Rescue teams, an RCMP police dog, and an RCMP drone located the 32-year-old Edmonton resident deceased under the water.

The deceased has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy will be performed, police say. 

“We wish to thank everyone who helped in supporting us, St. Paul Search And Rescue, Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, Underwater Search Team, and the RCMP while we were searching for this person. Your shares, comments, as well as drop offs of food and drinks were appreciated,” Search and Rescue said on Facebook.

“We wish to remind everyone that we are a nonprofit volunteer organization and our members sacrificed time from our long weekend and families to do everything possible to reunite this person with their family. It is our pleasure to serve the community in search and rescue.”

The investigation into this incident continues, RCMP say.