RCMP have successfully retrieved the body of a 13-year-old girl from Cultus Lake in British Columbia after conducting a three-day search at the popular swimming spot in the Fraser Valley. 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 young girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, is believed to have encountered a medical emergency while floating on a paddleboard on Saturday and subsequently fallen off, as per Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener. Kiener expressed deep sorrow for the tragic incident, emphasizing that such unforeseen events are not anticipated by visitors to the lake.
Following an early Saturday afternoon report of a potential drowning, authorities initiated a search operation for the teenager. Search teams concentrated their efforts in the Entrance Bay area, urging boaters and the public to avoid the region due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lake bed. The investigation has been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service.
Chilliwack RCMP is urging the public to exercise caution when near water bodies. There has been a significant increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported 54% surge compared to the previous year.
Near drownings are not uncommon at Cultus Lake, with Kiener noting that similar incidents are frequently reported. Shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding at the lake without a life jacket experienced distress after falling into the water. Two individuals who came to his aid also faced difficulties, requiring RCMP assistance for retrieval.
In a separate recent incident at the lake, a man faced drowning but was rescued by bystanders before receiving medical attention at a hospital. Kiener emphasized the regularity of such occurrences, highlighting the unforgiving nature of water and the importance of understanding associated risks.
RCMP advises individuals to always wear properly fitted life jackets, possess adequate swimming skills, and avoid swimming alone to enhance water safety measures.