Fatal hiking accident at BC waterfall claims life of 15-year-old girl

A Kamloops teen has tragically died in a hiking accident after she fell into a waterfall.

According to a release from Revelstoke RCMP, officers responded to a report of a 15-year-old girl who had lost her footing on slippery rocks and fallen into Akolkolex Falls on July 16.

Police say that her stepfather dove into the falls to attempt to rescue her. Emergency crews responded, including BC Ambulance, Search and Rescue, and the Fire Department.

Witnesses reported not seeing the girl or her stepdad resurface, but he was later located with the assistance of a Search and Rescue helicopter, and he was brought to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cpl. James Grandy with Revelstoke RCMP confirmed that the girl was found dead by RCMP and Search and Rescue personnel the following day.

Now, the BC Coroners Service has taken control of the investigation and police aren’t expected to release more details.

Fatal hiking accidents

The saddening death of a teen in BC is just the latest fatal hiking accident in the province this year.

There was another tragic fatality in Cypress Falls Park earlier this year when a man drowned trying to rescue his dog. And recently in the same park, a 70-year-old died after falling down a canyon.

A couple of hours away, a 28-year-old hiker near Whistler recently died after falling on a well-known hike.

Make sure to brush up on your outdoor safety knowledge before your next adventure.

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With files from Daily Hive staff