Funds raised for family of Wreck Beach drowning victim

A fundraiser has been set up to support the family of a young man who tragically drowned near Vancouver’s Wreck Beach last week.

Search and rescue crews were called to the area Thursday evening after a man was spotted in distress in the water before he disappeared.

The University RCMP says helicopters, drones, and police dogs were out helping with the search, along with support from multiple other agencies, including the Canadian Coast Guard, Vancouver Fire Rescue, and Metro Vancouver Parks.

On Friday, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced it was calling off the search after a body was found on Third Beach, several kilometres away on the western edge of Stanley Park.

The victim has now been identified as 26-year-old Rahul Ranwa. An organizer behind a GoFundMe page in Ranwa’s honour identifies themself as his cousin, Yuvraj Singh.

“Rahul was just 26, the only son of his parents, and had come to Canada last year as an international student. He was pursuing his MBA at Vancouver Community College — a bright student, a member of the Student Council, and someone who worked tirelessly at a part-time job to support his family back home,” said Singh.

Ranwa’s family is raising funds to return his body to his parents in India.

“Beyond funeral and repatriation costs, we are also raising funds to help clear the debts taken by his parents in India for his education and relocation. Rahul’s dreams were built on their sacrifices, and we want to ease the financial burden they are left carrying in the midst of unimaginable grief.”

As of Monday afternoon, the page has raised over $20,000.