RCMP has found the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a three-day search at the popular Fraser Valley swimming destination. The police’s underwater recovery team discovered the teenager at approximately 2 p.m. PT on Monday, located about 20 meters below the water’s surface.
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 fallen off, as per Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener, who expressed deep sympathy for the tragic loss.
Following an early Saturday afternoon report of a potential drowning, authorities initiated a search operation for the missing teen. 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 at the lake bottom. The investigation has been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service.
Chilliwack RCMP is emphasizing the importance of water safety measures amid a notable increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported surge of 54% compared to the previous year. Kiener highlighted the frequency of near-drowning incidents at Cultus Lake, recounting an episode where a man paddleboarding without a life jacket encountered distress, requiring assistance from RCMP.
In a separate incident earlier in the month, a man faced drowning at the lake but was rescued by bystanders and taken to the hospital. Kiener underscored the need for caution around water bodies, emphasizing the essential use of properly fitted life jackets, proficient swimming skills, and avoiding swimming alone.
