Swimmer 'swept away' by fast-moving water of B.C. river prompts warning from rescue crews during heat wave
A person's tragic death while they were swimming in a Lower Mainland river has prompted a warning from local search and rescue teams as temperatures are expected to soar in the region.
Coquitlam Search and Rescue shared the story on social media Wednesday, saying a person was "swept away in fast moving water while swimming at Widgeon Falls," near Pitt Lake.
Crews say it took hours to search for the subject, but their body was eventually recovered.
"Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," Coquitlam Search and Rescue's post says.
"This is a sobering reminder to always use caution around fast moving water. Rising temperatures can increase snowmelt from the mountains above which can cause water levels to fluctuate throughout the day."
The team's cautioning comes as nearly all of B.C. is under a heat warning. Environment Canada says an "exceptionally strong" ridge of high pressure could leave parts of the province dangerously hot from Friday until Tuesday.
"The duration of this heat wave is concerning as there is little relief at night with elevated overnight temperatures," the warning, which was issued Wednesday afternoon, says.
"This record-breaking heat event will increase the potential for heat-related illnesses."
Warnings have been issued in most regions of the province, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Environment Canada said temperatures could reach as high as 38 degrees during the day in Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Hope – and stay as high as 20 degrees overnight.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.