Chilliwack RCMP has successfully located the body of a 13-year-old girl at Cultus Lake in British Columbia following a three-day search operation. The underwater recovery team discovered the teen approximately 20 meters beneath the water’s surface around 2 p.m. PT on Monday.
According to RCMP Cpl. Carmen Kiener, the tragic incident occurred when the young girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, experienced a medical emergency while floating on a paddleboard on Saturday and subsequently fell into the water. Kiener expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the youth, emphasizing the unforeseeable nature of such events.
The search for the teen began after authorities received a report of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon. Search efforts were concentrated in the Entrance Bay area, with boaters and the public advised 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 underscored the importance of exercising caution around water bodies, especially considering the notable increase in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported surge of 54% compared to the previous year.
Notably, near-drowning incidents are not uncommon at Cultus Lake, as mentioned by Kiener. Shortly after the recovery of the 13-year-old girl, a man paddleboarding without a life jacket also encountered distress in the water. In another recent incident, bystanders had to intervene to save a man who started to drown. Kiener emphasized the need for proper safety measures, including wearing a fitted life jacket, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding solo swimming sessions.
