Dead is Troy Jason Alain of Maccan, Nova Scotia.

Queens RCMP first received a call about the possible drowning near the Hibernia Lake Campground a short distance from Caledonia at about 9:45 a.m. Aug. 17. The investigation revealed the youth had been swimming in the lake after dark with friends when he disappeared.

Emergency personnel and volunteers were involved in the search. Queens RCMP also stated they would like to thank North Queens Ground Search And Rescue personnel and other volunteers for their assistance, “during this tragic occurrence.”

North Queens Fire Association Chief Frank Armstrong said upon their arrival they quickly discovered it was a possible drowning.

“It was very obvious from the beginning at the scene it wouldn’t be a rescue but a recovery operation.”

The deputy chief then notified through dispatch Queens RCMP and the RCMP Dive Team, he said.

“We began to conduct a search with the assistance of some experienced canoe people at the campground.” They used a grid pattern and sonar equipment to search the lake while North Queens Ground Search and Rescue volunteers combed the shoreline, he said.

In the meantime, RCMP cordoned off the area and responding emergency personnel remained “victim sensitive” because friends and family were waiting at the campground, he said.

“The RCMP Dive Team did a commendable job as far as the recovery and family issues are concerned. It was hard on everybody because we had been there for over 12 hours by then. Our guys were exhausted and we had a lot of feelings for the family. We wanted to make sure things were done as well as possible.”

He added it turned out Troy Jason Alain, who was buried in his home community last week, was a junior firefighter.

EHS Liverpool personnel were also on scene. The victim and his friends and family were at the Nova Scotia Guides’ Association campground for a Trappers' Association Rendezvous.