Polar Bear Swim in BC

TRAIL, B.C. -- A man is dead after taking part in this town's annual Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day.

Police suspect alcohol was involved in the death of the 44-year-old Trail man, who had been wearing a plastic octopus on his head when he participated in the icy swim along with more than 140 other people.

When the swim was over and participants were receiving awards on the beach, the man waded into the river again and disappeared under the water, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Nick Romanchuk.

Sgt. Romanchuk said the man, whose name was not released, has had problems with alcohol, "so that may have contributed to some of his actions."