INUVIK - A male tourist was medevaced to Yellowknife June 11 with minor injuries after a fight with two Inuvik residents at a campground.

Happy Valley Campground in Inuvik, where an altercation took place on June 11 between two locals and two tourists. Despite persistent rumours, no one died. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL photo

Rumours flew around Inuvik last week that the tourist had died, but RCMP say that's not true. The male tourist's most severe injury was a minor bone fracture. As of June 16, the tourist was alive and recovering in the Yellowknife hospital.

"We've been inundated with rumours of this incident," said Staff Sgt. Wayne Norris of the Inuvik RCMP detachment. "Rumours tend to create all kinds of questions more than answer them."

The Inuvik RCMP detachment received phone calls from the Town of Inuvik, NWT Tourism, schools and others concerned about the incident. Rumours reached a peak on June 15, circulating a story that a tourist died after two local men jumped him for beer on his way back to the Happy Valley Campground.

According to RCMP, two tourists and two local residents were hanging out around a campfire at the Happy Valley Campground, having a few drinks. An argument ensued and then a fight, which resulted in minor injuries to one of the tourists and the medevac to Yellowknife.

"We determined that due to the circumstances, it was a consensual fight. They were both consenting adults and we will not charge under those situations," Norris said. "This could have happened anywhere, but it happened at a campsite where visitors were camping."

Norris added the incident is not a cause for concern for public safety, but that people should be aware of their situation and who they are with.

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