RCMP have retrieved the body of a 13-year-old girl from Cultus Lake in B.C. after a three-day search at the well-liked Fraser Valley swimming spot. The police’s underwater recovery team located the teenager approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface around 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
The girl, not wearing a life jacket, is believed to have experienced a medical emergency while on a paddleboard on Saturday and subsequently fell into the water, according to Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener, who expressed deep regret for the tragic incident.
Following a report of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon, authorities initiated a search for the teen. Search teams concentrated on the Entrance Bay area where the public and boaters were advised to steer clear 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.
Chilliwack RCMP is emphasizing the importance of heightened water safety measures. The province of British Columbia has witnessed a notable 54% surge in accidental drownings this summer compared to the previous year.
Kiener noted that near drownings are frequently reported at Cultus Lake. Shortly after recovering the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket encountered distress, prompting assistance from bystanders and RCMP. Another recent incident at the lake involved a man nearly drowning and requiring hospitalization after being rescued by onlookers.
RCMP is urging individuals to always wear a properly fitted life jacket, possess adequate swimming skills, and avoid swimming alone to ensure safety around water bodies.