Man and woman die in separate drownings in Nananimo, B.C., police say

NANAIMO — Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., are investigating the unrelated drowning deaths of a man and woman in the waters in and around Departure Bay.

Police responded to a report to check on the well-being of a woman at Departure Bay Beach just after 6 p.m., on Wednesday, it took searchers three hours to find the woman’s body.

About 90 minutes after that search began, police say they responded to a report of a swimmer in distress near the Brechin Boat Ramp.

First responders pulled a man out of the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.