Mission, BC paddleboarder dies after falling into Hayward Lake

A 58‑year‑old man from Mission, British Columbia, drowned while paddleboarding on Hayward Lake on July 9, 2026. According to a Mission RCMP news release, the man lost his balance, fell into the water and was not wearing a personal flotation device, with “limited swimming abilities.”

His wife shouted for help from the shore and a passerby pulled him out and performed CPR. Mission RCMP, BC Ambulance Service and Mission Fire Rescue arrived around 6 p.m., but despite resuscitation attempts the victim was pronounced dead. The incident occurred at the dog‑beach area, which was not supervised by lifeguards. RCMP officials urged water users to wear life jackets, noting that “a simple personal flotation device could mean the difference between a fun day on the water and a sad and tragic outcome.”