The six-year-old boy who drowned in a North Vancouver creek Thursday afternoon nearly died in a similar tragedy just last year, CTV News has learned.
Vondrae Martin was found face-down in his grandparents’ pool in March 2013 and spent a month recovering in BC Children’s Hospital.
His grandmother, a former nurse, received a BC Ambulance Service award for pulling him out of the water and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Her neighbours were given the same honour for their help.
Sadly, the family’s happy ending turned to heartbreak this week.
Martin was reported missing in the Bowron Court area of North Vancouver around 1:45 p.m. Thursday, and Mounties, search crews and ambulance personnel were called to help find him.
Officers discovered the boy unresponsive in Taylor Creek minutes after arriving, just meters from his family home. This time, help came too late.
The tragedy has left the community reeling, and trauma counsellors spent all Friday meeting with Martin’s parents and young classmates.
In light of Martin’s death, Mounties are warning the public that creeks and rivers are swollen and fast-running following heavy rainfall in the area.
“Be very cautious and aware of the swift-moving rivers, the creeks that are at an all-time high. They’re dangerous,” Cpl. Richard de Jong said.
“They’re catching all the rain that’s coming down the mountains, the snows melting, and that small creek can turn into a torrent very, very quickly.”
North Vancouver RCMP are continuing to investigate the death but said the case will be handed over to the BC Coroners Service.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Tom Popyk
