A six-year-old girl from North Vancouver is dead after a boating incident in the Okanagan.
According to police, the girl and her family were returning to dock at Cosens Bay in Kalamalka Lake when the incident happened around 6 p.m. Monday.
“As the adult driver turned the boat, a six-year-old child fell overboard and was struck by a part of the boat. The child was rushed to the pier on Kalamalka Lake to meet emergency personnel and, despite all efforts, the child died of injuries,” stated Cpl. Tania Finn, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spokeswoman.
The RMCP are not releasing any other information and the B.C. Coroners Service has now taken over the file.
“There is nothing to suggest it was anything except one of the most horrible, tragic accidents of the summer,” said Barb McLintock, coroner spokeswoman.
The girl’s name is not being released.
North Vancouver school district spokeswoman Deneka Michaud said staff trained to deal with critical incidents like the death of a classmate are aware of the incident but because schools are not in session, they will wait to see if there is a need for deeper intervention when classes resume in September.
“We are aware of this incredibly sad news and have activated our critical incident response plan,” Michaud said. “Additional supports are available should the school community need them in the future. Our hearts go out to the family during this devastating time.”
The girl’s family is receiving support from Vernon North Okanagan Victim Services.
