Dhanpreet Bains, who went by Dhan, died last Sunday when he couldn’t make it out of the west side of the lake during a swim on a particularly hot day. There has been a steep rise in drowning deaths this summer including nearly half dozen South Asians.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY – Young Indo-Canadian who was a well known athlete drowned in Harris Lake during a swim in the latest tragic death from drowning.

Dhanpreet Bains, who went by Dhan, died last Sunday when he couldn’t make it out of the west side of the lake during a swim on a particularly hot day. There has been a steep rise in drowning deaths this summer including nearly half dozen South Asians.

RCMP and B.C. Coroner’s Service are in the early stages of their investigations of the incident. On Monday morning (August 17), the RCMP dive team asked the public to avoid the area near the Hale Creek Recreation Site on Monday. Local Search and Rescue volunteers and EHS personnel were on the scene as well.

“It’s taken a day to sink in but we are heartbroken. Dhan Bains, a young man who frequented our home as a friend, family and son tragically passed away while out for a swim on Sunday. A great athlete, student and just a generous, respectable, loving and kind soul. He was a volunteer for our annual “Hoops for Kids” fundraiser for B.C. Children’s Hospital playing basketball and generously donating for the past four years. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug and never left without saying goodbye. Our hearts ache as our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful parents, brothers and sister Gurleen. We will miss you at our gatherings but will make sure to light a candle in your memory. Thank you for being a part of our lives. May you Rest In Peace,” wrote Atish Ram on a facebook memoriam to Bains.

Bains was a star basketball athlete and soccer player. He played on the team at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.