Drowning death in Kugluktuk
RCMP remind public to take safety precautions
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, July 6, 2015
KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE
The community of Kugluktuk is mourning the death of a child in a drowning incident on June 22, sparking concerns about boating safety for the summer.
A child drowned in the waters around Kugluktuk last week. The incident has sparked a reminder to take safety precautions during summer boating season. - NNSL file photo |
Nunavut RCMP were light on information about the death but provided some boating safety tips for the public.
"I can confirm there was a young person death involving a boat and drowning," stated Sgt. Yvonne Niego to Nunavut News/North.
A community member said two five-year-olds had taken a canoe into the water from the beach in Kugluktuk on the morning of June 22. Neither were wearing life jackets and the canoe tipped.
One child survived and the other drowned. Later that day, said the community member, other families had their youngsters in tow out on the water.
The funeral for the child was held last Saturday in the community.
"Always wear a life jacket, no matter what the weather," Niego said. "The water is still cold and can keep your body from working properly."
She said people going out on the water should notify friends and family about where they are going and what they are doing.
"Make sure all your equipment is in good working order, and that you have oars and something to bail water with," Niego continued.
The latest Northern Canada statistics from the Lifesaving Society in a 2014 report show that drownings are on average higher in the territories than in the rest of Canada.
Between 2007 and 2011, 56 drownings occurred in Canada's territories, nearly seven times higher than the national average for water-related fatalities.
At least nine drownings occurred in both 2012 and 2013 in Northern Canada.
Between 2002 and 2011, drowning rates were down in the Northwest Territories but up in Yukon and Nunavut.
Rivers and streams are the no. 1 setting for water-related fatalities in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, but in Nunavut, lakes and the ocean account for the most drownings.
According to the Lifesaving Society, water-related fatalities are highest in the summer months and drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 years of age.
