The timing of a concurrent TV water safety ad campaign is ironic. It shows a small boat with 2 children adrift after their father drowned because he was not wearing the required safety equipment.

Here's the information posted on the local TV channel's website: http://www.chbc.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11288

"Using an underwater vehicle with side-scan sonar and a camera, searchers have made the grim discovery they were seeking in the depths of Okanagan Lake. The body of a drowned RCMP officer was found Monday morning near Vernon yacht club. The officer was alone in the RCMP zodiac boat on Friday afternoon when he fell overboard. A witness in a nearby boat saw him surface a couple of times before he disappeared below the water surface. 46 year old Joseph Minguy was a 23 year member of the RCMP and had been stationed in Vernon for seven years. He is separated from his wife and has two sons, 13 and 11. Minguy was wearing several kilograms of gear on his duty belt as well as boots and a bullet-proof vest. He apparently was not wearing a life jacket and was alone in the boat, contrary to RCMP policy. The coroner and Workers' Compensation will join police in investigating the circumstances of the death. Minguy was fully trained as a police boat operator."

Note: In recent media versions of the story, it is stated that there were two officers in the boat, which is NOT TRUE. Also, the local RCMP is attempting to suggest that there may have been mechanical problems with the boat, and have seized it to make a mechanical examinination. The deceased officer was accorded a full RCMP regimental funeral, which is (in Canada) second only to a state funeral! I believe this is an attempt to make the foolish officer into some kind of hero, who died while trying to make the world safe for democracy.

Submitted on 06/10/2005

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: CHBC TV June 6th, 2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Yep, wearing all that gear on a boat is pretty dumb. I don't even wear shoes on the boat unless it's bloody cold.

Kelly said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Not sure why he wasn't wearing a vest. According to the report he'd been a fully trained police boat officer for quite a few years. I'm voting award now, though it seems suspiciously a bit like foul play.

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4