Authorities have located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search. The RCMP’s underwater recovery team discovered the teenager approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface on Monday afternoon. The girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, is suspected 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 regret for the tragic incident, emphasizing that such occurrences are unforeseen by visitors to the lake. The search operation was initiated following a potential drowning report received on Saturday afternoon. Search teams concentrated 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 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 caution around water bodies. Notably, accidental drownings in British Columbia have surged by 54% compared to the previous year, emphasizing the need for heightened water safety measures.
Kiener highlighted the frequency of near-drowning incidents at Cultus Lake, citing a recent episode where a man fell into distress while paddleboarding without a life jacket. Another individual who attempted to assist also encountered trouble, necessitating RCMP intervention. In a separate event earlier in the month, bystanders rescued a man from drowning at the lake.
Kiener emphasized the unforgiving nature of water and stressed the importance of wearing a properly fitted life jacket, possessing adequate swimming skills, and refraining from swimming alone.