By Steve Hubrecht
[email protected]

A young man lost his life in a tragic drowning accident at the popular local Twin Lakes site.

The 28-year-old was cliff jumping at Twin Lakes (also known as Bottomless Lakes and as Windermere Wells recreation site), along Westroc mining road, behind Mount Swansea, with friends on Monday, July 19. After jumping, the man did not re-surface and his friends quickly swam to the area they’d last seen him and attempted to locate and rescue him. Soon the Columbia Valley RCMP and Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) were on scene, helping with the search.

It was not until the following day, Tuesday, July 20, that the man’s body was recovered by the RCMP’s special Underwater Recovery Team (URT).

Columbia Valley RCMP Corporal, Louis-Philippe Gendron-Fafard, explained that the URT is a special unit comprised of members from across the province.

This is not the first drowning accident at Twin Lakes; a similar incident occurred in 2014.

Exactly how the man involved in the incident last week died is unclear.

Cpl. Gendron-Fafard told the Pioneer that in some drowning accidents, such as one that occurred at Canal Flats last year, underwater currents can play a role.

“In that case (Canal Flats) there was actually a swirling underwater current, like tornado, that held the person down at the bottom. But we don’t know if there are such currents at Twin Lakes,” said Cpl Gendron-Fafard. “We do know there is an underwater ledge at Twin Lakes, but we don’t know if that played a role in this incident.”

In the past, depth sounders have found that despite the ‘Bottomless Lakes’ nickname, there is in fact a bottom to Twin Lakes. Although, at 90 feet down, the lake is staggeringly deep indeed, especially given its relatively small size.

The incident occurred during Canada’s National Drowning Prevention Week (which was held from July 18 to 24). Cpl. Gendron-Fafard reminded the public to be as prepared and safe as possible when heading out to recreate on the water. Though, he emphasized that, as far as the RCMP know, the 28-year-old man in the cliff jumping accident was as prepared and safe as possible.

RCMP and the BC Coroners Service continue to investigate the man’s death.

“Our thoughts and feelings are with the man’s family and friends and our deepest condolences go to them” said Cpl. Gendron-Fafard.