Crews from the RCMP, Coast Guard and Marine Search and Rescue launched into rescue mode on Friday, Aug. 13 when a diver failed to surface in waters north of Lantzville. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
TRAGIC END

Body of missing diver located around Winchelsea Islands

Aug 19, 2021 | 2:04 PM

NANAIMO — The search for a missing diver off the coast of Lantzville has concluded.

Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed the body of a man in his 40’s was discovered in the area around the Winchelsea Islands on Wednesday, Aug. 18 by the RCMP dive team.

The recreational diver went missing the morning of Friday, Aug. 13 when he failed to resurface after a dive.

The circumstances of his death are not known, however police said it is not considered suspicious and have passed the investigation over to the BC Coroners Service.

Crews from multiple units scoured the area daily since he was reported missing with boats on the water and dive teams executing searches.

A rescue effort was delayed by several hours on Friday with the victim’s friend not confident enough in his English to call authorities.

Police were eventually alerted around noon once the friend had made contact with someone on shore.

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