Authorities continue to investigate the death of a 22-year-old Alberta woman who was killed in a boating accident Friday on Shuswap Lake.
The BC Coroners Service stated Monday, July 13 that Andrea Mary Jacura, 22, of Edmonton, Alta., died as a result of severe injuries sustained after she was caught in a houseboat’s propeller while swimming in waters near the popular Neilson Beach.
“Ms. Jacura had just entered the lake waters in the early afternoon of July 10… when she was caught by a houseboat propeller. She sustained severe injuries and died at the scene.”
Sicamous RCMP Const. Pat Pyper said police were notified of the accident when a request for assistance was received at approximately 2:45 p.m. from the BC Ambulance Service.
The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Unit in Sicamous also dispatched their marine rescue vehicle to assist, but to no avail.
Upon arrival, responding emergency service personnel learned the victim had already succumbed to her injuries.
“Her left leg was amputated and she had severe trauma to her torso and was basically deceased at the scene,” reported Pyper.
“My understanding is the young girl was behind (the vessel) swimming while the pilot of the boat was trying to dock it on the beach. The boat was put into reverse…, the driver didn’t know they were back there.”
Eleven people were aboard the houseboat at the time, many of them the woman’s family members.
“It’s an unfortunate mishap and a sad, sad thing,” said Pyper.
The Sicamous RCMP detachment and the B.C. Coroners Service is continuing to investigate.