British Columbia Tragedy: Teen presumed dead after boat capsizing incident in Cariboo Region Lake

A teenage boy was presumed drowned after his boat capsized on a lake in the Cariboo region of British Columbia (B.C.) over the weekend, CTV News reported, citing authorities. Following reports of four people in the water, officers with the Quesnel RCMP were called to Stony Lake on Saturday evening (June 6, 2026), the detachment said in a statement Monday.

“Three individuals were able to safely make their way to shore; however, the operator of the boat did not surface and could not be located,” Mounties said. “Extensive search efforts have been undertaken but have not yet resulted in locating the missing youth,” they added.

The 17-year-old boy hails from Prince George, and police stated that his next of kin has been notified. “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones as they cope with this tragic loss,” RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark was quoted by CTV News as saying in the statement.


The RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team is expected to arrive to search the lake on Tuesday. The B.C. Coroners Service reported last week that accidental drowning deaths have risen markedly this year compared with the same three-month period in 2025. Between March and May 2025, the province recorded five accidental drowning fatalities, while the same period in 2026 saw nine deaths.

“Warmer weather brings more opportunities for adventures and more risks,” said Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner, in a statement, as quoted by CTV News. "Remember to put safety first to avoid preventable tragedies.” Data from the coroner's service also shows that 137 people died in boating-related drowning incidents across the province between 2015 and 2025.