Toddler nearly drowns in Cultus Lake
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.
Hirakida said it is also important to limit distractions when supervising, such as cell phones, pets and other children.
She also recommends both the adult and child wear a life jacket near water, adding the child should always be within an arm’s reach away.
“Drowning can happen in seconds and in as little as a couple inches, a couple centimeters of water. So a parent needs to be there or a guardian needs to be there right away to make sure that they're accessible to their child to pull them out of harm's way,” she said.
As summer approaches and people go to new destinations, she encourages people to do an inspection to see what and where the water is.
“Are there ditches? Are there little moats that you need to be aware of? Is there a pond? All of these things can draw children to it; they're just naturally drawn to water,” Hirakida explained.
So far this year, six people have drowned in B.C., according to the society.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.