VANCOUVER — A 16-year-old boy is dead after he was swept away by a strong current and pulled underwater while swimming at Lynn Canyon Twin Falls on Friday.
North Vancouver RCMP, firefighters and the B.C. Ambulance Service were called to Lynn Canyon about 4 p.m. where the boy, an American visiting from Pennsylvania, had been swimming.
When he disappeared underwater, family cried for help and several bystanders were able to assist in pulling the boy from the water and performing CPR. The boy was taken to Lions Gate Hospital, but didn’t survive.
“This is a devastating situation,” said Const. Brett Cunningham. “We’re continuing to work with park officials and the District of North Vancouver to prevent these tragic incidents from happening.”
Cunningham noted that high-risk behaviour has continued, despite fences and cautionary signs posted in the area. The area is popular for swimming, but its swift waters have claimed numerous lives over the years.
Between 1985 and 2016, there have been eight deaths in and around the area of Twin Falls Bridge, which is popular with thrill-seekers looking to cliff-jump. Between 2011 and 2015, there were 16 injuries at the same spot, according to warning signage posted near the bridge.
There is a fence with a sign on it that reads: “WARNING — EXTREME DANGER — Do not go beyond this fence, area is extremely hazardous and has claimed several lives.”
It’s not unusual for North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue Services to be called to a rescue a day during hot summer holidays.
“This is an extremely tragic situation for the family and friends of the youth,” said Cunningham. “We recognize that the family is mourning the loss of their son and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
