Young man drowns in Lynn Canyon

A man in his 20s has been identified as the victim of a drowning in Lynn Canyon waters Wednesday.

The North Vancouver RCMP said Thursday police and multiple other first-responders received a call around 5 p.m. about a swimmer in distress.

“It was reported that a young man who was cliff-jumping at Twin Falls had jumped and was underwater,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak.

Sahak says the man did not know how to swim, had never cliff-jumped before, and drowned. He says first-responders were able to locate the man but weren’t able to pull him out for 30 minutes.

Sahak says the man was airlifted to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

“As to why he was underwater, we’re not quite sure. The reasoning behind that, it could have been multiple reasons. It could have been that he did not swim, wasn’t able to get up. It could have been that he might have been in shock from the cold water … we don’t know.”

Sahak and the North Vancouver RCMP are reminding young British Columbians to be safe around water.

“I think peer pressure may have played a factor in this case. But our message to young people is to plan ahead. If you know that you’re going to an area and you’re amongst friends … you’ve got to put your foot down and just say, ‘It’s not worth the risk.’ Because it could cost you a life.”

With files from Maria Vinca.