The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died following a bridge-jumping incident near Grand Forks on July 8. He is Joe (Morey Joseph) Lafreniere, aged 53, from Grand Forks.
Mr. Lafreniere was with a group of acquaintances who were jumping recreationally from the old Nursery rail bridge into the Kettle River on the afternoon of July 8. When Mr. Lafreniere jumped, he was immediately observed to be in trouble in the river, but his companions could not get him to shore before he was swept away by the current.
Search and Rescue were called and rescued Mr. Lafreniere after about 20 minutes. He was immediately transported to hospital but could not be resuscitated.
The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death. The family of Mr. Lafreniere has been notified.