Children watch as family members swept away by Alberta waterfall

Three members of an Alberta family were killed when they were swept away by a waterfall Tuesday night.

The family was swimming at the bottom of Crescent Falls, when one adult got swept under the waterfalls. Two other adults tried to save them, but they were also pulled under the falls, according to a news release from Rocky Mountain House RCMP.

In the end, all three adults drowned.

The family’s children, aged 10, 6, and 3, remained on the riverbank and called for help.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by and involved in this tragic incident” Cpl. Ryan Hack said. “We also offer our thanks to the citizens, and partner agencies, who immediately jumped into action to provide assistance in the face of these powerful falls.”

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Bystanders were able to recover two of the adults’ bodies, and professional searchers found the third body on Wednesday afternoon.

The children are staying with other family members, and are in touch with the Victim Services Unit.

The waterfalls are located near a campground in a provincial recreation area. They’re about a 3.5-hour drive from either Edmonton or Calgary.