A tragic incident unfolded at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park on Sunday evening as a person lost their life in a drowning accident, as confirmed by authorities. The recovery operation took place around 7 p.m., marking the second drowning incident in the Bow Valley over the weekend following the discovery of a 52-year-old Canmore man in the Bow River on Sunday morning.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Gina Slaney clarified that the death is being handled as a non-suspicious occurrence, with further details being withheld until the next-of-kin are informed. Parks Canada’s Banff field unit, supported by visitor safety personnel, was actively involved in responding to the incident, with additional information set to be released soon. Alberta EMS also dispatched paramedics to the scene.
Johnson Lake, situated approximately 10 kilometers away from the Banff townsite and in proximity to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, stands out as a popular destination within the national park. Notably, Sunday’s tragic drownings marked the third and fourth such incidents in the Bow Valley this year, with previous cases occurring at Canmore’s Quarry Lake on August 1 and Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park on May 1.