A 16-year-old boy from Pennsylvania died in North Vancouver, B.C. on Friday afternoon, in fast-moving waters where signs warn thrill-seekers that “several” people have died.
RCMP Const. Brett Cunningham says the boy, who was visiting family, was swimming with friends at Twin Falls in Lynn Canyon Park when he was “swept away by strong currents and slipped under water.”
Firefighters conducted an 18-metre rope rescue to recover the injured boy, but he later died in hospital.
Const. Cunningham called the situation “tragic” and pointed out that there are warning signs cautioning the public about the “dangers and the ongoing problems we have with individuals swimming in these very dangerous waters.”
One sign reads: “WARNING: EXTREME DANGER. Do not go beyond this fence. Area is extremely hazardous and has claimed several lives.”
Among the people killed at Lynn Canyon Park in recent years was 17-year-old Cole Marsh, of Port Coquitlam, B.C., who died in March 2016.
Despite the warning signs, there were many people swimming in the area on Friday, when CTV Vancouver arrived at the scene.
Jason Devathasan said he believes it is “quite safe” to jump into the water at Twin Falls. “Everyone jumps,” he said. “It’s fun.”
Devathasan said that news of the injured boy wouldn’t stop him from jumping and swimming there in the future.
Const. Cunningham said it is not illegal to ignore the warning signs, but he pleaded with the public to obey them.
With a report from CTV Vancouver
