Quarry Lake drowning: Rocky View County resident recovered by Canmore RCMP; second drowning reported near De Winton
A 33-year-old Rocky View County resident drowned at Quarry Lake, Canmore RCMP recovered the body and sent it to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A separate drowning near De Winton was reported that day, compounding concerns about water safety in the region.
Quarry Lake drowning confirmed by Canmore RCMP
Canmore RCMP said officers were called to Quarry Lake at nearly 6 p.m. after reports of a struggling swimmer who was not wearing a life jacket and then disappeared beneath the surface. Emergency responders located the man underwater and declared him dead at the scene. The force identified the victim as a 33-year-old resident of Rocky View County and confirmed his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further examination.
Mounties released a brief statement offering condolences to the family, friends and the wider community as investigators work to confirm the circumstances of the drowning. Police have not released further identifying details pending next of kin notification and the results of the medical examiner’s autopsy.
Timeline of the rescue call and recovery
According to RCMP accounts, the initial emergency call reported a swimmer in distress without protective gear and then vanishing into the water. Canmore Fire and Emergency Services and Alberta Conservation Officers joined the response, searching the lake before locating the man underwater. The combined response underscores the coordination among local emergency services on remote or recreational water incidents.
Investigators are reconstructing the timeline to determine how quickly the swimmer was reported missing and how long he was underwater before responders arrived. Those details will be important for the medical examiner and for any safety advisories that local authorities may issue.
Authorities and agencies involved in response
Canmore RCMP led the on-scene recovery and coordinated with Alberta Conservation Officers and local fire crews to search the lake. The involvement of multiple agencies reflects standard procedure for water rescues and recoveries in the Bow Valley and surrounding areas. Each agency brings different equipment and expertise, including dive teams and boating assets when conditions permit.
In the separate De Winton incident, RCMP and Foothills Fire and Emergency Services searched the river area with aerial support from the Calgary Police Service’s HAWKS unit. Aerial spotting played a role in locating the second victim, demonstrating how sky and ground resources are often combined in riverine recoveries.
Victim taken to medical examiner for autopsy
RCMP confirmed the Quarry Lake victim’s body was transferred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy and toxicology testing as part of the routine post-mortem procedures. Those findings will be necessary to establish the official cause of death and whether factors such as alcohol, medical issues or environmental hazards were involved. Authorities said they would release additional information when family notification is complete and investigative steps permit.
The medical examiner’s timeline can vary depending on testing needs, but coroners typically aim to complete initial autopsy findings within days to weeks. Police investigators said they continue to gather witness statements and any available footage from the surrounding area.
Second drowning reported near De Winton the same day
Separately, emergency crews recovered the body of a 35-year-old man from Mexico after he failed to resurface while swimming near the confluence of the Highwood and Bow Rivers at the Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground. The incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m., and crews used aerial searches to help locate the body in the water. RCMP confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene and his remains were also transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Police described the De Winton location as approximately 15 kilometres east of the Highway 2 and Highway 2A interchange, a region popular for day-use and camping. Authorities have not said whether alcohol, cliffs, or current conditions contributed to the second drowning as investigations continue.
Calls for safer practices at natural swimming areas
Local officials and emergency responders reiterated standard water-safety advice following the two drownings, urging swimmers to wear life jackets, swim with companions and avoid alcohol while in or near open water. Mountain lakes and river confluences can present hidden hazards such as sudden drop-offs, cold water shock and unpredictable currents. Conservation officers often warn that clear, calm surfaces can mask swift undertows and underwater obstacles.
Community groups and campground operators said they will review signage and public information to remind visitors of the risks. Safety advocates called for renewed attention to education and enforcement at popular recreational sites, particularly during the peak summer season when visitor numbers rise.
Community members and emergency personnel expressed sorrow and offered condolences to the families affected by these two incidents, noting the heavy toll of sudden water deaths on small communities and first responders.
