Body of missing 13-year-old pulled from Cultus Lake after medical emergency

The body of a 13-year-old who went missing in Cultus Lake has been found, authorities confirmed on August 10. The youth was last seen on a paddleboard on August 8 and is believed to have suffered a medical emergency. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team located the girl's body, and the BC Coroner Service has taken over the investigation.

The 13-year-old was not wearing a life jacket when she fell off the paddleboard. Cpl. Carmen Kiener of the Chilliwack RCMP expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, calling it a "heartbreaking outcome."

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Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.

Chilliwack RCMP urged the public to take precautions around water. Key safety advice includes always wearing a properly-fitted life jacket, ensuring adequate swimming skills, and using the buddy system to never swim alone. This incident follows a period of increased drowning deaths, with a water safety warning issued by the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon in late June.

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This is a heartbreaking outcome, and we are deeply sorry for their loss.