Maidstone RCMP say an 18 year old man from Lashburn was found dead after going missing Saturday while tubing down the Battle River south of Waseca.

RCMP say he became separated from friends when a storm rolled in. After two days and a night of searching the missing young man was located deceased.

The RCMP says community support during the tragic accident was tremendous. Hundreds of local residents employing a plane, canoes, kayaks, horses, quads, side-by-sides, and boats came out to assist Lloydminster Search and Rescue, Maidstone Fire, RCMP from Turtleford, Cutknife, and Maidstone, in addition to RCMP Search and Rescue, underwater recovery team, and air support.

The RCMP also urges the public to wear proper safety devices and that they have had several calls for incidents on the rivers and lakes already this season.

Waseca is 43 kilometres, along the Yellowhead Highway, southeast of Lloydminster.