RCMP authorities have recovered the body of a 13-year-old girl from Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search at the popular Fraser Valley swimming location. The police’s underwater recovery team located the teenager approximately 20 meters below the water’s surface around 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
The tragic incident unfolded when the young girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, reportedly encountered a medical emergency while floating on a paddleboard on Saturday and subsequently fell into the water. Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener expressed sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the unexpected nature of such events at the lake.
Following an early Saturday afternoon report of a possible drowning, authorities initiated a search effort for the missing teen. The search teams concentrated their efforts around the Entrance Bay area, urging boaters and the public to avoid the vicinity due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lake bed.
The case has now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service for further investigation. In light of the incident, Chilliwack RCMP is advising the public to exercise caution around water bodies.
Notably, there has been a significant increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a 54% surge compared to the previous year. RCMP officer Kiener highlighted that near-drowning incidents are also a common occurrence at Cultus Lake, citing a recent incident involving a man who faced distress while paddleboarding without a life jacket.
Kiener underlined the importance of water safety measures, emphasizing the necessity of wearing a properly fitted life jacket, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding swimming alone. The authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and mindful of the risks associated with water activities to prevent such tragedies in the future.