Attempts by police, emergency crews and a fellow kayaker to revive a Rimbey businessman after he capsized into the Blindman River turned out to be futile.
Wayne Cameron, 68, drowned in the river west of Highway 20 and north of Highway 12, west of Bentley.
Staff Sgt. Gary Rhodes said Sylvan Lake RCMP responded to the call of a possible drowning on July 5. A woman at the scene told RCMP she had been kayaking with Cameron when he decided to take off his life preserver because he was too hot.
“Shortly after this they heard water running and turned a corner in the river to see a cement flood control structure in the river. The man went over the structure, which caused his kayak to tip, and he fell into the river,” said Rhodes. “He struggled to stay above the water but was unsuccessful. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.”
The woman with Cameron dragged him onto shore and provided CPR until help arrived.
Cameron, who operated E&C Oilfield Services, was taken by ambulance to Red Deer Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.