UPDATE:
RCMP have confirm the body of a 49-year-old woman was recovered from Prior Lake Monday afternoon by the BC RCMP Dive Team.
West Shore RCMP was initially called to the incident in the afternoon on Saturday August 12th, after witnesses advised seeing a woman go under water and not re-emerge.
Police said the death does not appear to be suspicious at this time.
‘We are working with the BC Coroners Service and will not be providing any further details at this time,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar of the West Shore RCMP.
Prior Lake and the surrounding trail, in Thetis Lake Regional Park, which had been closed since Saturday afternoon will re-open shortly.
“We thank the public for their patience and send our condolences to the family and friends of the woman,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, Media Relations Officer West Shore RCMP.
— original:
A portion of Thetis Lake Regional Park remains closed following a presumed drowning over the weekend.
In media release, West Shore RCMP confirmed they are still searching for a 49-year-old woman who they say presumably drowned in Prior Lake on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities responded to the area shortly before 2 p.m. after witnesses reported seeing a woman swimming in the area who saw her go under the water but did not resurface.
The lake remains closed as a RCMP dive team works to locate her remains.
A notice on the CRD website states that Prior Lake and McKenzie Creek Trail remain closed due to the incident.
In a statement on the weekend, they CRD said the closure was needed “to allow crews the space and privacy they need to work,” and CRD park staff put up barricades and closure signs in the area where applicable.
The rest of Thetis Lake Regional Parks is open, including upper and lower Thetis Lake beaches.
Cpl. Nancy Saggar of the West Shore RCMP told Victoria Buzz an updated release will be sent out once a recovery in made.
