RCMP authorities have located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search at the popular Fraser Valley swimming destination. The underwater recovery team discovered the teenager approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface around 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
According to Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener, the young girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, is believed to have experienced a medical emergency while floating on a paddleboard on Saturday, leading to her falling off. Kiener expressed deep regret for the tragic incident, stating that such unforeseen events are devastating for everyone involved.
Following a report of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon, authorities initiated a search operation for the missing teenager. Search teams concentrated their efforts in the Entrance Bay area, urging boaters and the public to avoid the area due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lake bed.
The investigation has been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service for further examination. RCMP officials are cautioning the public to exercise extra vigilance around water bodies. This summer, British Columbia has observed a significant surge in accidental drownings, with reported cases up by 54% compared to the previous year.
At Cultus Lake, incidents of near drownings are not uncommon, as indicated by Kiener. Shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket encountered distress in the water. Two individuals who attempted to assist the man also faced difficulties, necessitating RCMP intervention to rescue them.
In a separate incident earlier in the month, a man at the lake faced a drowning scare but was rescued by bystanders and subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention. Kiener emphasized the frequency of such incidents, highlighting the unforgiving nature of water and the importance of understanding associated risks.
RCMP officials are advising the public to always wear properly fitted life jackets, possess adequate swimming skills, and avoid swimming alone for their safety around water bodies.