Young man rescued after swimming in frigid Lynn Canyon waters
Posted February 17, 2021 8:57 am.
Last Updated February 17, 2021 8:59 am.
NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It seems a hypothermic young man rescued from Lynn Creek in North Vancouver Tuesday was moved to jump into the icy water by his beautiful surroundings.
Fire crews received the call around 3 p.m.
Assistant Chief David Dales with North Vancouver District Fire says the man was walking around with a family member.
“They were just enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Lynn Canyon and saw this beautiful Lynn Creek with crystal clear water and they thought they’d go for a swim,” he explains. “They were a little overwhelmed by the fact that it’s extremely cold and there is a bit of a current.”
Dales notes the man was “completely overwhelmed” when jumped in the water and ended up caught in the current.
When fire crews arrived, the young man was stranded on a rock, weak with the cold. But he was able to swim to shore where they warmed him up and dealt with a minor leg injury.
“We were presented with a very hypothermic young man, completely unable to walk and he would have been unable to actually remove himself from the canyon,” Dales explains.
Crews were able to get the man out of the canyon and walk him to a waiting ambulance. He’s expected to be fine.
While the North Vancouver wilderness can be beautiful, Dales is reminding people to be cautious.
“We highly encourage everyone to come down and enjoy the Lynn Canyon. The water does look beautiful this time of year — it’s crystal clear. But it’s extremely cold and there is a current. We highly recommend that you do not swim this time of year,” he tells NEWS 1130.
“Even though the water is a little low this time of year. And he put himself in a bad spot real quick.”
If you do go in the water this time of year, Dales suggests a drysuit.
