RCMP successfully retrieved the body of a 13-year-old girl from Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search of the popular swimming destination in the Fraser Valley. The underwater recovery team located the teenager at approximately 2 p.m. PT on Monday, submerged about 20 meters beneath the water’s surface.
The girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, is believed to have experienced a medical emergency while floating on a paddleboard on Saturday and subsequently fallen into the water, as per Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener. Kiener expressed deep sorrow for the tragic loss and emphasized the unexpected nature of such incidents at the lake.
Following an early Saturday report of a potential drowning, authorities initiated a search operation, concentrating on the Entrance Bay area where visibility was hindered by heavy silt on the lake bed. The investigation has now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service.
In light of a notable increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a 54 percent surge compared to the previous year, Chilliwack RCMP issued a cautionary reminder for heightened water safety measures. Notably, Cultus Lake has been witnessing frequent near-drowning incidents, with Kiener highlighting a recent episode involving a man in distress while paddleboarding without a life jacket.
Kiener underscored the importance of wearing appropriate life jackets, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding solo swimming to mitigate risks associated with water activities.