RCMP successfully located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a rigorous three-day search at the popular Fraser Valley swimming destination. The authorities’ underwater recovery team discovered the teen approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface around 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
According to Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener, the girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, likely experienced a medical emergency while on a paddleboard on Saturday, leading to her falling off. Kiener expressed deep condolences for the tragic loss, emphasizing the unforeseen nature of such incidents.
Following an early Saturday afternoon report of a potential drowning, law enforcement initiated a search operation for the teenager. Search teams concentrated their efforts in the Entrance Bay region, urging boaters and the public to avoid the area due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lakebed.
The case has now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service for further investigation. Chilliwack RCMP issued a reminder to the public to exercise extra caution around water bodies, particularly in light of a notable surge in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, representing a 54% increase compared to the previous year.
RCMP highlighted that near-drowning incidents are common occurrences at Cultus Lake, with reports of such incidents being a regular concern. Shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket faced distress, prompting a rescue operation by authorities. Additionally, another recent incident at the lake involved bystanders rescuing a man who began to drown and required hospitalization.
Kiener emphasized the importance of water safety, advising individuals to always wear properly fitted life jackets, possess adequate swimming skills, and avoid swimming alone to mitigate risks associated with water-related activities.