June 17, 2026: Cultus Lake Waterpark Electrocution
Good Morning,
I'm reporting on the Cultus Lake Waterpark electrocution that occurred this past Monday, June 15, 2026. I'm writing this newsletter on June 17 because I wanted to make sure I reference only the most up-to-date reporting, and not the speculation that runs rampant on social media in the hours before there's official information.
As we understand it: a dozen Grade 6 & 7 students (ages 11-13 years old) from Port Coquitlam’s Minnekhada Middle School at Cultus Lake Waterpark on Monday as part of an end-of-year school trip with teacher chaperones were taken to hospital. "The cause is still under investigation, but that the children appear to have been hurt while in contact with a metal hand railing at the base of the Zero-60 Raceway ride." This video talks about a "steel-frame tent" which (my speculation) may have been erected as a shade structure. Criminality is not suspected.
Cultus Lake is in the Fraser Valley part of British Columbia, approximately 1.5 hours east of Vancouver. It is located south of Chilliwack (a real place, not just a rock band). Interior BC is a popular destinations for lake vacations with lots of child-friendly activities like mini golf, petting zoos, farm stands, etc.
Many children were transported to the Abbotsford Hospital, while video footage shows at least two children transported via air ambulance to Vancouver; there are multiple reports of CPR delivered on scene. Some children have been released from hospital with reports of superficial burns and numbness, while eight remain in serious condition with no further information publicly available. (source - click here if paywalled)
The initial press release:
Technical Safety BC - responsible for amusement device regulation & compliance in British Columbia - is on site investigating, and the park announced an extended closure with no expected date for reopening. (Whoever manages the website for Technical Safety BC understood the assignment: they've updated the landing page to show exactly what people are looking for.)
BC Hydro (in Canada, 'hydro' is the colloquial term we use for electricity given that historically power was produced by hydroelectric dams) reports: "After an initial investigation, our crews have identified that the electrical issue originated on the customer’s side of the electrical service, rather than within our infrastructure or equipment." (source)
There are reports that Cultus Lake Waterpark did not close the entire facility right away after the incident on Monday, but I can't confirm this.
I personally find it unprofessional that the press release on the company's website is below the break, and not immediately available as a website banner or pop-up window, but I'm not a PR expert.
How can we as aquatic professionals respond to this? Broadly I want to say that throughout my work with aquatic facilities of all types, I see many operators attempting small electrical work that may within their skillset, but outside of an objective technical standard of care (i.e. you're not a licensed electrician). Can I replace the ceiling lights in my home by following a YouTube video? Sure, but where does that leave my insurance coverage if my house burns down?
Further, I routinely see residential homeowners and commercial pool operators in hospitality hang string lights around (e.g.) the hot tub for evening mood lighting with no consideration that the lights purchased off Amazon are not certified by (e.g.) UL for outdoor operation around water, nor grounded properly in case of electrical failure.
I don't know what happened in Cultus Lake, BC but I do know this is a very high profile case - it was discussed in the House of Commons in Ottawa - so we will see public disclosure once more information is available. It's also a very bad look for the aquatics industry in Canada, adding more fear to parents who have legitimate pool safety concerns after the Canmore Inn & Suites chlorine gas incident in January.
In other news, a fatal drowning has been confirmed at an open water recreation area in Medicine Hat, Alberta this week, also allegedly associated with an end-of-year school field trip. We've covered these types of drowning incidents in many newsletter, so I'll bring you more information as it becomes available.
As if both of those stories weren't enough to digest, here's everything else in the aquatic industry from the last week. It's been a busy one!
5-year-old twins dead after being found in Kissimmee vacation home pool
This was the big story dominating the aquatic news cycle and my social media algorithm before the BC waterpark electrocution hit. The allegation is that the adults left the home for groceries and left a 15 year-old to supervise their siblings.
Man rescued from Carleton University pool later dies
Algae resurfaces in reflecting pool after multimillion-dollar fixes
This story is also developing as America approaches its 250th birthday on July 4 with many large events and tourists in Washington, D.C. To add further fuel to the fire, there have been reports that hydrogen peroxide is being used, based on zooming in on photos of the jugs. I'm no algae expert, but I do know that hydrogen peroxide is largely not permitted as a commercial swimming pool disinfectant in many jurisdictions.
Village Square Leisure Centre closing for year-long renovations starting this fall
I'm very surprised this wasn't a bigger news story as this is the primary swimming pool in the NE quadrant of Calgary.
Editorial: A needed retreat from a bad pool ‘safety’ rule
I actually think this editorial got it completely wrong, and panders to the population, not the needs of the aquatic facility to administer water safety.
Man accused of exposing himself inside women’s locker room at Atkinson Pool
I'm sorry, but this is rage bait: "According to police, Wilson said he unknowingly entered the women’s locker room, but decided to hurry up and change while he was in there." As a female, I've definitely accidentally - and intentionally - used an empty men's restroom before when the line was too long for the ladies'.
Babysitter arrested after 3-year-old drowns in pool
"Investigators found Johnson had been operating an unlicensed, in-home day care and had been babysitting Perez when he drowned. "
Mayor Vivian Flowers orders internal review after Aquatic Center drowning
Village installs safety measures at pool after incident hospitalizes 14
Why did it take this happening for interlock to be added?!
Columbia reopens pool after three-day filtration snafu
Older pools often have significantly longer turnovers that mean longer time to recover water quality.
Mother, daughter sentenced in deadly 2023 San Jose daycare drowning case
I spoke about this incident in a video when it first happened.
Family receives settlement in 2024 drowning death at South Charleston pool
Click here to read without a paywall. "Garnes’ daughter...sued South Charleston for negligence in Garnes’ drowning and negligent hiring and supervision of lifeguards."
For second year in a row, only one public pool will be open in Asheville during summer
Respectfully, only charging $3 admission in 2026 is likely part of the problem.
(I really don't mean to be snarky today, but some of these stories are....😬)
Swimmer dies at Verdun beach hours before official opening
Women in Brussels 'filmed without their knowledge' by men wearing Meta smart glasses
Volotea Refused Service to Vlogger Over Smart Glasses, Citing Privacy Law
I like this precedent and would suggest that aquatic/recreation facilities consider adopting similar policies in advance of a smart glasses becoming an issue.
People are paying to remove the recording light on Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses
NEW FEAR UNLOCKED!!
San José Loses Its Only Major Water Park — for Now
San Antonio opening 23 free outdoor pools for summer
Finally, a good news story!
Food delivery driver charged after selling alcohol to teen who later drowned, police say
Community members band together to keep Lawson pool open
The community purchased the pool for $10.
Florida law to bar certain sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of public pools
This is a good loophole to close because, you know, nudity?
State law changes rules for inflatable pool owners
This is a huge gap everywhere, and needs better awareness.
City quietly pulls plug on floating swimming pool idea
City diving into summer with more free swim classes, Mamdani says
Great idea, but how are we funding this? No different from Vancouver. It simply cannot be off the backs of underpaid swim instructors and aquatic staff who already give SO much to their communities.
David Hockney, iconic British artist known for his colorful landscapes and pool scenes, dies at 88
I'll be back next week with a newsletter (June 24, 2026), but then we're skipping Canada Day (July 1) since many poolies will also be off for Independence Day (July 4).
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
PS. The audio version of last week's newsletter is here.