The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have found the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search in the popular Fraser Valley swimming area. The underwater recovery team located the teenager approximately 20 meters below the water’s surface on Monday at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
According to Chilliwack RCMP Corporal Carmen Kiener, the young girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, is suspected to have experienced a medical emergency while on a paddleboard on Saturday and slipped off. Kiener expressed deep regret for the tragic incident, emphasizing that such events are unexpected and sorrowful.
The search for the girl was initiated following a report of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon. Search teams concentrated on the Entrance Bay region, urging boaters and the public to avoid the area due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lake bed. The case has been transferred to the British Columbia Coroners Service for further investigation.
Chilliwack RCMP is alerting the public to exercise additional caution around water bodies. This summer has seen a notable increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia, with a reported 54% surge compared to the previous year.
Noteworthy is the frequency of near-drowning incidents at Cultus Lake, as indicated by Kiener. Shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket faced distress after falling off. Two individuals who attempted to assist also encountered difficulties, requiring RCMP intervention for their rescue.
Kiener highlighted a recent drowning scare at the lake where bystanders intervened to save a man in distress. She emphasized the importance of understanding the risks associated with water activities, stressing the need for wearing properly fitted life jackets, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding solo swimming.
Overall, the RCMP’s message underscores the critical importance of water safety measures and vigilance when engaging in water-related activities to prevent tragic incidents.