Sask. teen found unconscious at hotel pool dies in hospital

Family and friends are mourning the death of Nolan Royer after the 17-year-old was found unconscious at a hotel pool Friday night.

Emergency crews were called to the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel just after 11 p.m. on Nov. 10. They found Royer unresponsive in the pool area.

He was taken to hospital, where he died the next day. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

Family shared the news from Royer’s account Saturday, saying he was an “extraordinary human being with the purest of hearts and souls.”

“His uplifting personality was always a joy to be around. He was such a gifted and talented individual who had all the potential in the world,” the post read.

“Heartbreakingly, tragedy struck and his time with us was cut short. You were always a beacon of hope in a seemingly hardened world.”

Royer was a Grade 12 student at Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon. Students paused for a moment of silence Tuesday and a memorial has been setup in the school’s chapel.

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools sent their tragic events response team to help students and faculty mourn the loss.

One of his teachers, Chris Otto, commented on the family’s Facebook post calling Nolan “an incredible young man.”

The teen was a well-respected cadet leader with the North Saskatchewan Regiment.

Capt. Kathryn Wortel, commanding officer of 2293 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, issued a statement Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of cadet chief warrant officer Nolan Royer,” the statement read. “His loss is being felt deeply across the tight-knit cadet community… Nolan’s contributions to his cadet corps and the cadet program will not be forgotten.”

The outpouring of  condolences painted the picture of Royer as level-headed and kind, with an adventurous spirit; a teen who enjoyed mountain biking, parachuting and leading cadet ceremonies.

“Anyone who met him could agree that his smile shined brighter than a thousand suns and that his optimism throughout everything life threw his way was both inspiring and astonishing,” Kaylee McDonald wrote on Facebook.

“He lived his short life to the fullest and all our lives are better because he was a part of it,” Billy Bentley commented.

According to the post, Royer is an organ donor and his donation will save at least five other people.

The Saskatchewan coroner’s office is investigating the teen’s death. It could take up to six months to complete.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker.