Following the death of Belmont Secondary student Dequan (Keron) McKay after a drowning incident at Langford Lake on June 15, life rings have been installed at the lake in the hope that future tragic drownings can be prevented.
“I’m not sure it would have prevented this drowning. I guess we’ll never know. But if it can save a life in the future, then it’s worth it,” said Ryan Oakley, the Langford resident who, along with his fiancée Britanny Loomis, was responsible for the initiative.
“Between us, we have three children who are down there all summer,” said Oakley. “I’d never noticed the lack of any lifesaving equipment until this happened but when it did, I knew that something needed to be done.”
Oakley, the owner of True Northern Group: Estate Liquidation Services, decided to act and went to a local retail outlet where he purchased five life rings for installation at Langford Lake and offered them to the City of Langford.
Initially, it seemed that the City was somewhat unsure of how to proceed, but when Oakley urged them to act quickly, they agreed.
“They first wouldn’t commit to when they would put up the rings, but after I told them that I could have all these things put up by noon tomorrow, I got a call the same day saying that they would go ahead with the installation."
For its part, the City of Langford communications staff issued a press release that included the following statement: “Council fully supports all initiatives that promote water safety and lifesaving efforts,” said Scott Goodmanson, Mayor of Langford. “We are committed to creating awareness and providing a safer environment for residents and visitors to enjoy local lakes.”
The press release went on to say, “The City is in the process of installing the donated life rings at the main swimming areas of Langford Lake and has also purchased public access life rings directly from the Lifesaving Society. The life ring installation at Leigh Place dock is already completed, and installations at Scouts Point, Lake Park off Goldstream Avenue, and Lake Point Park are scheduled for later today. Life rings will also be installed at the Florence Lake boat launch dock, and at Glen Lake Beach Park and Glen Cove dock early next week. In the upcoming days, the City will also be installing new signage from the Lifesaving Society to improve public safety.”
And, while the response to Oakley’s initiative now appears to be underway, he regrets that it took a tragedy like Dequan McKay’s death to make it happen.
“Sometimes it takes a tragedy to open people’s eyes [to a problem],” he said. This should have been a priority a long time ago and, [when the drowning happened] it should have been done immediately.”
According to Oakley, additional initiatives are being considered and are in the works.
“It’s going to be something community-oriented and include things like CPR training and lifesaving. We’re going to look into what we can do to make that possible,” Oakley said.
“Maybe something good can come out of this and it can evoke some change.”
