At Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, a person has died after falling into cold water
FIELD, BC — One person has died after falling into water at the base of Takakkaw Falls, a popular tourist spot in British Columbia’s Yoho National Park.
Parks Canada says in a statement that its visitor safety specialists responded to the falls at about 1:30 p.m. Friday.
With the help of Alpine Helicopters, they searched the site from the air.
A search dog, as well as RCMP and fire departments from Field and Golden, BC, were also deployed to search the water.
Parks Canada says its visitor safety specialists found a body in the pool at the base of the falls later that evening.
They were able to recover the body on Saturday in what they say are challenging conditions.
“Parks Canada would like to extend its sincere condolences to all affected by this tragic event,” officials said in a statement Monday.
“Visitor safety is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada and reminds visitors to exercise caution when walking alongside running water, which can be deceptively powerful even in shallow areas.”
They added that most of the bodies of water in the mountain parks are fed by melting snow and ice.
“Falling into very cold water can lead to shock and hypothermia, even in the summer months,” the statement said.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 19, 2023.
