RCMP have successfully located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after an extensive three-day search at the popular Fraser Valley swimming destination. The police’s underwater recovery team discovered the teenager around 2 p.m. PT on Monday, approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface.
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 and subsequently fell into the water. Kiener expressed deep regret for the tragic loss, emphasizing that such incidents are unexpected and profoundly sorrowful.
Authorities initiated the search for the missing teen following a report of a possible drowning on Saturday afternoon. Search teams concentrated their efforts on 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 now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service.
Chilliwack RCMP is cautioning the public to exercise extra vigilance around water bodies, especially in light of the notable increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported surge of 54% compared to the previous year. Near drowning incidents are also frequently reported at Cultus Lake, as mentioned by Kiener.
Kiener highlighted that shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket also encountered distress in the water. When two individuals went to assist him, one of them also fell into the lake, requiring rescue by the RCMP present in the area. Another recent incident at the lake involved a man nearly drowning and needing hospitalization after being rescued by bystanders.
Kiener emphasized the importance of water safety, urging individuals to always wear a properly fitted life jacket, possess adequate swimming skills, and avoid swimming alone to mitigate risks associated with water activities.