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.
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.
Witnesses and passersby stopped to help but two children were not found and an RCMP dive team was called to the scene.
Vrolyk said Sunday two adults and one child were able to escape.
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.
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