RCMP has successfully located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a thorough three-day search of the popular swimming spot in the Fraser Valley. The underwater recovery team discovered the teenager around 20 meters below the water’s surface at approximately 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
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, leading to her falling off. Kiener expressed deep sorrow for the tragic loss, emphasizing that such incidents are unexpected and devastating for all involved.
Following an alert of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon, authorities initiated a search operation for the missing teen. 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 at the lake bottom.
The case has now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service for further investigation. Chilliwack RCMP is urging the public to exercise additional caution around water bodies, especially in light of the significant increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported 54% surge compared to the previous year.
Kiener highlighted that near-drowning incidents are not uncommon at Cultus Lake, citing recent occurrences involving individuals without proper safety gear. She stressed the importance of wearing a well-fitted life jacket, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding solo swimming to minimize risks associated with water activities.