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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly at least nine games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy.