B.C. water park extends closure as details of 'tragic' incident revealed
Cultus Lake Waterpark has announced that it is extending a temporary closure as more details about the incident that sent a dozen children to the hospital have been revealed.
B.C.’s largest water park shared its latest update on Tuesday, June 16, a day after multiple people suffered injuries at the Fraser Valley attraction.
Further details of the electrical incident were also revealed by Cultus Lake Waterpark in the social media post that shared “thoughts and prayers” to the victims, families and classmates of those affected.
Cultus Lake Community/Facebook
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“This incident occurred at the bottom of our Zero to 60 waterslide attraction, past the end of the slide,” posted Cultus Lake Waterpark. “Located there is a steel frame tent structure with handrails. This structure is understood to be the object which victims came in contact with.
“This incident was tragic, and we are deeply upset by what these children experienced at our park.”
The Zero to 60 waterslide features five slide lanes that can be used at the same time, with guests able to race each other down the long track on slip and slide mats.
After sliding down, visitors walk in their own lane to the end of the slide and then hand off their mat to the next person.
Kyle Donaldson with BC Hydro previously confirmed that there was an electrical issue, but after an initial investigation, crews have identified that it originated on the customer’s side of the electrical service, rather than within BC Hydro’s infrastructure or equipment.
Cultus Lake Waterpark
“As we are in the early stages of review, information is limited,” posted Cultus Lake Waterpark. “WorkSafe BC and Technical Safety BC are actively investigating the incident, and their findings will be reported. We are fully cooperating with all authorities as they complete this process.
Cultus Lake Waterpark, located at 4150 Columbia Valley Highway, was open to school groups on Monday when the incident occurred.
Ken Hoff, assistant director of communications and community relations for the Coquitlam School District, confirmed a number of students from School District 43’s Minnekhada Middle School in Port Coquitlam were injured in the incident.
According to BC Emergency Health Services, two of the injured were transported to the hospital by air ambulance, and the other 10 were transported by ground ambulance.
Cultus Lake Community/Facebook
Ron McKinnon, member of Parliament for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, also spoke about the incident in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
“[The] incident at Cultus Lake Waterpark is something no child, parent, or educator should have to experience,” added McKinnon in a Facebook post. “My thoughts are with the students from Minnekhada Middle School, their families, and all those affected.
“I am deeply grateful to the first responders, health-care workers, and staff who acted quickly to provide care and support. As our community comes together, we stand with everyone impacted by this incident.”