A six-year-old boy has died after apparently drowning in a fastmoving stream. North Vancouver RC MP, Fire and Rescue Services and B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics were all called to the 900-block of Bowron Court in the Seymour area around 1:50 p.m. Thursday for a report of a missing child, possibly needing a water rescue.
First responders and neighbours fanned out around the immediate wooded area of Garibaldi
Park. A few minutes later, a woman walking her dog in Garibaldi Park spotted the boy unresponsive in Taylor Creek, about 400 metres from the house where he was reported missing.
"At that point, RC MP were first on the scene and they got him out and a B.C. Ambulance person was there. He took the child and, along with two of our firefighters, began CPR on the child," said Mike Cairns, assistant fire chief with North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue.
Despite being quickly airlifted to B.C. Children's Hospital and listed in critical condition by B.C. Ambulance Service, the boy died Thursday afternoon.
Police could not say how long the boy had been in the water.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the grieving family at this time," said Supt. Chris Kennedy, officer in command of North Vancouver RC MP. "This is a most tragic incident that touches all our lives."
North Vancouver RC MP is continuing their investigation into the death and the victim services unit has been brought in for support to the family. The B.C. Coroners' Service has been notified and will ultimately be taking over the investigation.
Due to the week's heavy rain, the North Shore's streams are swollen and dangerous, Cairns said.
"It's like all the creeks in the area. They've probably got three, four or five times the water going through," he said. "This creek is normally a slowmoving stream but today it's rapid."
The boy had a younger sister, according to police.
