838 people drowned in B.C. over the 10-year period from 2012 through 2022
Published Jul 23, 2023 • 2 minute read
Article content
The past week has been a deadly one for swimmers in B.C.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Article content
A 14-year-old boy remains in hospital in critical condition after he was pulled unresponsive from Sasamat Lake on Saturday. The beach was temporarily evacuated to make way for an air ambulance, which transported the boy to hospital.
Article content
The day before, a 55-year-old man died from a probable drowning at the Vedder River near Peach Park.
“He was possibly fishing, and possibly attempted to rescue his dog that fell into the river,” Staff Sgt. Layne Penner of the Chilliwack RCMP told CityNews on the day of the death.
And a 21-year-old man is still missing after jumping into Cultus last Wednesday to save a friend he thought was drowning. An RCMP underwater recovery team was called in to conduct a search.
Chilliwack RCMP did not respond to several requests for an update on the status of the search for 21-year-old.
Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Sunrise presented by Vancouver Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
There have been at least 17 drownings in B.C. this year, according to the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon, a drowning prevention charity.
That’s fewer drownings than typically occur by this time of year, based on data from a recent report on accidental drownings from 2012-2022 from the B.C. Coroners’ office.
There were 86 drowning deaths in B.C. in 2022, according to the report. Forty-six of them occurred between January and July.
The three most recent events were emblematic of many of the most common characteristics of drownings in B.C. over the past 10 years: drownings occur most often among males, aged 19-to-29 or 50-to-59, in lakes and rivers during summer months.
Between 2012-2022, 78 per cent of drowning victims were men. Two-thirds occurred in rivers or lakes. Individuals aged 20-to-29 or 50-to-59 were the most common ages of those who died, at 21 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Alcohol and drugs are another common factor.
Corners determined alcohol and drugs were contributing factors in 38 per cent of drowning deaths from 2012-2020. That figure spiked to 52 per cent among victims aged 30-to-39.
Drowning-prevention efforts are led in the province by the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon. The group offers some crucial water safety tips on its website:
Always wear a life-jacket or personal flotation device. Boat and ride sober. Get the pleasure craft operator card. Check the weather forecast and complete a simple safety checklist. Closely supervise young children near water. If you’re not within arm’s reach, you’re too far away. Always swim with a buddy. Go feet first, first time. Never dive into shallow water. Learn to swim and learn lifesaving skills.
For more information, visit lifesvingbc.ca/watersafety.
Cool off in B.C. with a jump from a cliff? Please don’t, urge rescue crews, doctors
Unresponsive teen pulled from Sasamat Lake Saturday
@njgriffithsngriffiths@postmedia.com
More news, fewer ads, faster load time: Get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites for just $14/month or $140/year. Subscribe now through The Vancouver Sun or The Province.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Join the Conversation
Advertisement 1
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Breadcrumb Trail LinksQuebecNewsThe party's finance critic has yet to join the leadership race.Author of the article:La Presse CanadienneThomas LabergePublished Jul...
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Join the Conversation