Prior Lake and a nearby walking trail in Thetis Lake Regional Park remain closed to the public following a drowning, according to BC RCMP.
Police tell CHEK News that West Shore officers were called to the Upper Thetis Lake area around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, for a report of a woman underwater.
Paramedics and the View Royal Fire Department were also called to the scene.
According to police, the woman, 49, drowned. Around 4 p.m. Sunday, RCMP said the woman’s body had not been recovered, and an RCMP dive team was assisting in locating her.
In an initial news release, Mounties did not disclose any details about the incident but said an investigation was ongoing with no risk to the public.
“Due to the nature of the investigation, and in consultation with the Capital Regional District (CRD), Prior Lake and the nearby Mackenzie Creek Trail have been temporarily closed…” said RCMP just before 6 p.m. Saturday, noting officers responded earlier in the day.
They said the closure was needed “to allow crews the space and privacy they need to work,” and CRD park staff put up barricades and closure signs in the area where applicable. By 4:30 p.m. Sunday, an estimated reopening time was still unavailable on the CRD’s website.
The lake and trail are accessed via Highland Road in View Royal.
“We will provide more updates when they become available, however for now we are asking the public to avoid Prior Lake and Mackenzie Creek Trail until further notice,” said RCMP Cst. Andrew Matheson in the release.
“Thank you for your patience in this matter.”
CHEK News reached out to RCMP and View Royal Fire for more information.
Ethan Morneau
