Weekend spree of drownings in northern Manitoba
Posted November 24, 2025 5:58 pm.
Last Updated November 24, 2025 7:31 pm.
A spree of drownings has two northern Manitoba communities in mourning.
Norway House RCMP received a report that a person had fallen through the ice on November 22nd. When they arrived, officers found a 72-year-old woman lying on her back on the ice.
“Her feet were in the water. We don’t know how long it’s been. Imagine, with the temperatures like they are now, the water was cold. So she needed to be rescued immediately,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre, media relations officer for the Manitoba RCMP.
Police say the woman was taken to hospital with signs of hypothermia. She told police she was walking on the ice with another person, who police say they later found dead.
“They started dragging the river where this person was believed to be. Some of the boats were breaking up the ice to allow them to cover more surface area. Finally, in the early evening hours of Sunday night, they located the body of that individual and pulled them out.”
The second drowning happened in Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Cross Lake RCMP attended the scene on November 23.
The body of a 47-year-old man was taken to the nursing station, where he was pronounced dead.
“That’s unfortunate that we’ve got two incidents within 48 hours. What’s kinda eerie about it, it’s the same time, 1:20 a.m. Both dates someone was reported going through the ice, and it’s just tragic,” said Sgt. Manaigre.
Norway House and Cross Lake RCMP units are continuing to investigate.
Mounties are urging the public to be cautious when crossing over water bodies that appear to be frozen.
