Advertisement

2 children from Abbotsford dead after side-by-side submerged at lake in Chilliwack

Click to play video: 'Two children killed in off-road crash near Chilliwack'
Two children killed in off-road crash near Chilliwack
Two children are dead after their family's ATV went over an embankment into a lake, despite the fact the family did everything they were supposed to. Jennifer Palma reports. – May 4, 2020

Two children – a nine-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy – are confirmed dead after a side-by-side accident at Foley Lake in Chilliwack on Sunday.

Chilliwack RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk said officers, firefighters, paramedics and search and rescue were called to the Foley Lake Forest Service Road just before 1 p.m.

Click to play video: 'Two children killed in off-road vehicle accident near Chilliwack'
Two children killed in off-road vehicle accident near Chilliwack

The family of five from Abbotsford were all wearing seatbelts and had helmets on but the side-by-side offroad vehicle lost control and became submerged in about 15 feet of water.

Story continues below advertisement

Witnesses and passersby stopped to help but two children were not found and an RCMP dive team was called to the scene.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Vrolyk said Sunday two adults and one child were able to escape.

Click to play video: 'Collisions involving off-road vehicles on the rise'
Collisions involving off-road vehicles on the rise

Vrolyk later issued a statement Sunday confirming the bodies of two children had been recovered.

“It is with deep sorrow, that we report that the bodies of two children have been recovered from this tragic accident,” Vrolyk said, “The Chilliwack RCMP would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those involved in this unthinkable tragedy.”

The BC Coroners Service is now investigating.

Chilliwack RCMP said Monday there is no indication of foul play and it was sunny at the time of the accident. However, the road had some moisture on it and that is believed to have caused the vehicle to go off the road.

Story continues below advertisement

There is also logs under the water, making the rescue more difficult.

The Provincial Health Services Authority told Global News the two adults and one youth who escaped were taken to hospital in stable condition.

The recovery of the vehicle will take place Monday.

-With files from Srushti Gangdev

Sponsored content

AdChoices