Photo by Vince Fedoroff
A GRIM SEARCH – An RCMP officer stands on the shore of the Yukon River on Friday afternoon as searchers in a boat look for the missing man.
Photo by Vince Fedoroff
A helicopter also took part in the search efforts.
Man dies after walking in Yukon River
A man died Friday afternoon after walking into the Yukon River.
A man died Friday afternoon after walking into the Yukon River.
Caleb Ayles, 25, died at around 4 p.m., the Yukon Coroners Service confirmed today.
“On Friday during the lunch hour, witnesses saw a man walk into the Yukon River near Rotary (Peace) Park and called 911,” Yukon chief coroner Kirsten Macdonald said in a press release.
A helicopter and a boat were deployed while rescue teams geared up.
Ayles was eventually located at around 1:40 p.m. by emergency services and rescued from the water near the Walmart store.
He was brought to Whitehorse General Hospital, but couldn’t be resuscitated.
The Yukon Coroners Service is investigating the death.
“With the warm weather occurring and people venturing outdoors, police are encouraging everyone to take extra precautions when accessing the Yukon River, due to its strong currents, undertows and cold temperatures, which pose a risk to personal safety,” Whitehorse RCMP Const. Cyril Sweetville said Friday.
According to the coroner, Ayles lived in Whitehorse, but his family is from Carmacks.
“Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Mr. Ayles, and to the community of Carmacks,” the press release reads.
Last June 15, a young man drowned in the Yukon River after jumping from the Miles Canyon bridge.
That man, 19-year old Michael Groening, was intoxicated moments before he jumped into the river, the chief coroner ruled.
No autopsy has been ordered for Ayles, but the coroner’s service is awaiting toxicology results.
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Comments (3)
Up 15 Down 8
BnR on May 11, 2016 at 6:43 am
Michele, the unfortunate young fellow went walking in the river, not swimming. Don't see the connection. As Hank pointed out, channel (no pun intended) your rage somewhere else.
Up 22 Down 15
Hank on May 10, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Michele, please channel your outrage on something more meaningful.
Up 26 Down 24
Michele Dupont on May 9, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Shame on you Whitehorse Star for your front page of today's paper. Did anyone think before making the front page a girl swimming and on top of that the headline of the drowning man? Please think about people's feelings next time. Please think about his family. Any other picture would have been better than that. Just my opinion.