Body pulled from Okanagan Lake believed to be captain of fishing boat

| August 17, 2023 in Okanagan

Local Community Advertising

Both men who died in a surprise wind storm on July 24 were likely pulled from a pair of Okanagan lakes on the same day.

On Wednesday, the body of 26-year-old kayaker Eli Buruca was finally recovered from Kalamalka Lake.

Today, police confirmed to NowMedia that another body was pulled from Okanagan Lake on Wednesday as well and it’s suspected to be Travis van Hill.

“The deceased is believed to be the 55-year old man who went missing when his boat capsized on the night of July 24,” said Cst. Chris Terleski. 

“However, this cannot be confirmed until a positive identification is made by the BC Coroners Service.”

Van Hill was the captain of a commercial fishing boat, which capsized in Okanagan Lake near Ellison Provincial Park around 11 pm on July 24.

It took more than a week for his boat to be pulled from the lake, but his body was not inside, which meant the search for van Hill continued.

That search has now almost certainly come to an end as we await the positive identification from the BC Coroners Service.

Local Community Advertising

Trending Stories

Cold case: Kelowna homicide nearing 30-year anniversary with no answers

UPDATE: Hwy 97 reopens south of Peachland after earlier crash

Big Mac for a big cause: Today is the 30th annual McHappy Day

Dragons' Den star attacks government's plan to hike capital gains tax

Province to resurface nearly 500 km of BC Interior highways this summer

Kelowna theatre company ordered to pay performer over $55K

Human remains found on construction site northeast of Merritt

Most Canadians think minorities are 'too demanding,' pollster claims