Man drowns at Lynn Canyon in area known for cliff jumping

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A man who got trapped under the rapids at Twin Falls in an area notorious for cliff jumping has died.

Fire Chief Brian Hutchinson with the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services says crews were called to the area in Lynn Canyon Park just after 4:40 p.m. Sunday.

“Witnesses that were on scene were able to give us a clear description of the last point that the individual was seen,” he tells NEWS 1130, adding crews quickly deployed to try and help the man.

Seventeen firefighters were part of the effort, with help from Lynn Canyon park rangers, RCMP officers, and paramedics.

Despite getting firefighters into the water by the falls, Hutchinson says the man was far below the surface.

“He was trapped under approximately 10 metres of water, pushed up against the back side of the falls,” Hutchinson describes. “The hydraulics in this area, the amount of water pushing through this time of year is extreme, and the waterflow is actually very, very heavy as well.”

After a “significant effort,” crews were finally able to reach the man, however, it was too late.

“After extricating him from the canyon and from the river with the assistance of BC Ambulance, resuscitation efforts were undertaken and then the coroner was on scene, as well. The individual was, unfortunately, pronounced as being deceased and resuscitation efforts were terminated at that point in time.”

The victim’s identity isn’t being released at this time as the family is being notified. Hutchinson says the man was from the Metro Vancouver area.

Warning against cliff jumping

As has been the message before, Hutchinson says first responders continue to warn people of the dangers of jumping into Lynn Canyon.

“We encourage people to come to our area, to recreate, but to make good decisions. Unfortunately, jumping in the canyon — whether it be at Twin Falls, 90 Foot or 30 Foot — it’s hazardous,” he explains.

“We’ve worked very hard to try and get that messaging out there, that we don’t enjoy having to do these types of rescues and recoveries. We just want people to be safe out there.”

Hutchinson says there really aren’t any “safe” areas to cliff jump in the Lynn Canyon and Twin Falls area. He notes there are areas where people can enjoy the water and wade in, even swim, but jumping comes with a number of risks.

Signs and fencing have been set up in some parts, but Hutchinson and other first responders continue to urge people to make good decisions while in the area.

“And, unfortunately, cliff jumping is not one of those.”

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