Charges have been laid in relation to a drowning incident that occurred at MacDonald Island Park nearly two years ago.

On December 12, 2020, Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to a call to the facility after getting reports of a 34-year-old man in distress.

The victim was taken to hospital where he remained for five days before being airlifted to an Edmonton hospital.

He passed away the following day.

Wood Buffalo RCMP, after a lengthy investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecutors Office, has charged 25-year-old Ruslan Atantayev with Criminal Negligence Causing Death.

Atantayev was employed as a lifeguard at MacDonald Island Park at the time of the incident.

He is set to appear in Fort McMurray Provincial Court on Nov. 22.