Toddler nearly drowns in Cultus Lake
CTV
A young boy has been hospitalized after falling into Cultus Lake earlier this week.
VANCOUVER – A young boy has been hospitalized after falling into Cultus Lake earlier this week.
The three-year-old’s relatives told CTV News he was riding his bike near the lake when he somehow ended up in the water.
They said his mother spotted him in the lake, diving in to rescue him.
CTV News has decided not to identify the boy.
BC Emergency Health Services confirmed paramedics were called to Cultus Lake on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. and airlifted a patient to hospital in serious condition.
Lifesaving Society of BC and Yukon, a charity aimed at preventing drowning deaths, found children under five years old are at high risk of drowning.
“This is not happening in supervised lifeguard areas. This is happening in backyard pools, bathtubs and open bodies of water. The number one thing that we want to make sure that we always say is supervision is key. Assign a designated water watcher, somebody that knows where the water is and where the children are at all times,” said Kimiko Hirakida, education manager with the society.