3 days ago
Friend mourns international student who died in Kamloops, B.C., drowning
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Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of a 27-year-old university student who drowned in Kamloops, B.C.
Anant Kaul says Jatin Garg was a humble and hard-working student who came to Canada last summer to study business at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
"He was like my family," he said of Garg. "He was like my brother."
Kaul said he was shocked when he heard that his friend of 12 years was swept away when he tried to retrieve a volleyball from the Thompson River.
"I couldn't accept it," Kaul said. "[All] I could think [was] how hard it would be for his parents, for his family, for his ... little brother. I couldn't even imagine what feelings they would have at that moment."
Kamloops RCMP confirmed the body's discovery in a statement on Tuesday, saying it was recovered near McArthur Island Park, a few kilometres northwest of Overlander Park where the young man was playing volleyball on the evening of July 6.
Kaul said Garg didn't know how to swim. He said at the time two friends went into the water to help him, but they ended up requiring the help of bystanders.
"They saved those two men but they were unable to save or find Jatin," he said.
Kaul described his friend as someone who always had a smile on his face.
"His strength really touched everyone who ever knew him," he said.
Kaul said he is working to raise funds to have his friend's body sent to India where last rites will be performed.
TRU president Airini (who uses one name) says the university has been in touch with Garg's family and has offered a range of counselling services for the campus community.
"When we face these times of sadness, we walk alongside the family," Airini said. "All of our community is right there in heart and in support."
WATCH | Calls for more safety after TRU student's presumed drowning:
Presumed drowning reignites calls for river safety in Kamloops
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Despite calls for action following the presumed drowning of an international student last Sunday, the city of Kamloops says it has no plans to add additional safety equipment to local beaches. CBC's Jenifer Norwell explains why.
She also said the university is working to improve awareness and education around water safety.
She said the university has a free course for international students that is "designed to help students, who are unfamiliar with Canadian waterways or who lack prior swimming experience, have the confidence around water."
