False drowning report triggers three-hour search of Birds Hill lake

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A false alarm of drowning kept hundreds of would-be swimmers out of the lake at Birds Hill Provincial Park on Wednesday while the water was searched for more than three hours.

Two teams of beach patrol searchers — one with 12 people linking hands — searched in two separate areas of the lake. One team was neck-deep in the centre of the lake and repeatedly dived under to search. They were aided by two boats from the East St. Paul Fire Department, and the STARS helicopter attended.

The search was called off about 4 p.m.

A provincial government spokesman said the search, which began at about 12:30 p.m., was considered precautionary because no one had actually been reported missing. The spokesman said the search began when “bubbles” were spotted in the water, while RCMP Sgt. Bert Paquet said the incident was originally reported when “someone had seen what they believed was a head in the water that appeared to go under and not surface.” Witnesses at the lake said it was one of the beach patrol officers who believed they saw someone go under.

“We are being extremely cautious at this time and have deployed appropriate resources until we can confirm whether or not a child or person is actually missing in the water,” Paquet said when the search started.

“Again there is no indication at this time of any unaccounted person and each camp site is being checked to determine if anyone is missing.”

Beach patrol staff asked everyone to get out of the water.

Nathan Liewicki, a Brandon Sun sports reporter who is on vacation and with family at the park, tweeted through the afternoon about the incident.

“There’s no panic here,” he said from the beach.

“There’s RCMP, park staff, lifeguards, search and rescue people and two boats in the water,” said Liewicki. “There’s a strong element of concern, especially after what happened at Grand Beach,” where two children drowned recently.

Allison Cole of Winnipeg came to the park for a day of fun with her family.

“We are thinking of leaving soon because I don’t want my kids to see anyone pulled out of the lake,” Cole said.

“Beach patrol and police have come back a few times asking everyone if all members of their family are accounted for so it makes sense when you tell me no one has been reported missing.”

“This is the second time this summer I’ve seen this, but last time the kid was found playing with another kid on the beach.”

STARS spokesman Cameron Heke confirmed its helicopter was deployed to the lake for a “water related emergency”, but it left after almost two hours.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca