Chilliwack RCMP have successfully retrieved the body of a 13-year-old girl from Cultus Lake in British Columbia after a thorough three-day search of the popular swimming destination in the Fraser Valley. 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 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. Kiener expressed deep regret for the tragic loss, emphasizing that such unforeseen events are heartbreaking and unexpected.

Authorities initiated the search following a report of a potential drowning on Saturday afternoon. Search teams concentrated their efforts in the Entrance Bay area, urging boaters and the public to steer clear due to poor visibility caused by heavy silt on the lake bed.

The investigation has now been handed over to the B.C. Coroners Service. Chilliwack RCMP is urging the public to exercise extra caution around water bodies, especially in light of a significant surge in accidental drownings in British Columbia this summer, with a reported 54% increase compared to the previous year.

Cultus Lake has witnessed several near-drowning incidents, according to Kiener, who highlighted another recent event involving a man paddleboarding without a life jacket. The man fell into distress, prompting two individuals to assist, one of whom also required rescue. Kiener emphasized the critical importance of wearing a properly fitted life jacket, possessing adequate swimming skills, and avoiding solitary swimming to mitigate risks associated with water activities.