12-year-old girl dies days after being pulled from popular Dawson Creek lake
Police say they're investigating whether an intake grate kept the girl underwater for several minutes
A 12-year-old girl had died five days after being pulled unconscious from a popular man-made lake in Dawson Creek, B.C., police say.
RCMP say the girl was unconscious when they arrived at Rotary Lake about 6:20 p.m. PT Aug. 13, and was later flown to the Lower Mainland for more care.
Police said today the girl died Thursday, Aug. 18.
They say the investigation into her death continues. RCMP previously said investigators have determined there was an intake grate at spot that "may have contributed to the girl remaining submerged."
"The Dawson Creek RCMP continue to lead the investigation in order to fully determine whether or not there is any criminality involved in the child's death," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
The popular swimming hole is in Mile 0 park, just off Highway 97 in Dawson Creek. No lifeguards are posted at the lake and a sign at the park's entrance warns visitors they are swimming at their own risk.
To secure the scene for the investigation and prevent any potential risk to the public, RCMP in Dawson Creek ordered the pool drained.
The park's manager, Bert Goulet, had few details to share about the Aug 13 incident and said the park is waiting for investigators' findings.
He said it took place at one of the lake's deepest points where the depth of the water is just under five feet.
With files from Andrew Kurjata