The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died following a boating incident on Niskonlith Lake near Chase on May 12, 2014.

He was Walter Sylvester Oleksyn, aged 74, from Chase.

Mr. Oleksyn and a family member were out fishing from a 14-foot (approximately 4.3-metre) aluminium skiff on Niskonlith  Lake about eight kilometres from Chase on the afternoon of May 12 when the boat overturned and they ended up in the frigid water. The other person managed to swim to shore, a distance of about 30 metres, but Mr. Oleksyn was unable to reach land successfully. He was deceased at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The family of Mr. Oleksyn has been notified of his death. On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service requests that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

For further information, please contact:

Larry Marzinzik
Regional Coroner, Interior Region
BC Coroners Service
250 861-7429