A man in his 20s died Wednesday after cliff jumping at Twin Falls in North Vancouver’s Lynn Canyon, according to RCMP.
Police say the man was at the falls with a group of friends. He did not know how to swim and hadn’t jumped off a cliff before, according to police.
Twin Falls are a short walk from the popular Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. They’re accessed by a short wooden bridge that sits above a raging river.
Scott Ferguson, assistant chief of District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said first responders received a call about a swimmer in distress around 5 p.m.
An inflatable rescue boat was deployed in the water, Ferguson said. Emergency responders got the man to rocks at the side of the river and commenced CPR.
Cliff-jumping remains a popular activity at Lynn Canyon Park despite repeated warnings against the dangerous pastime.
The man was later airlifted to hospital, where he died shortly after, according to North Vancouver RCMP Const. Mansoor Sahak. He was in the water for about 20 minutes before rescue crews could get to him, Sahak said.
‘Hazardous and unpredictable’
North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little offered his condolences to those who knew the man.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man at this very difficult time,” he said in a statement.
“We want all visitors to Lynn Canyon to get home safely. Lynn Creek is hazardous and unpredictable, and everyone who visits the Canyon needs to be cautious and vigilant around the water.”
Lynn Canyon is a popular swimming area for locals and tourists during the summer months. As the weather warms up, officials are reminding the public to take extra precautions, including following signs that warn against cliff jumping.