Saturday August 12, 2023 | VIEW ROYAL, BC [RCMP news release update – 3:20 pm August 14, 2023].
RCMP news release File #2023-16262:
“The body of a 49-year-old woman was recovered from Prior Lake this afternoon by the BC RCMP dive team. West Shore RCMP was initially called to the incident in the afternoon on Saturday August 12, after witnesses advised seeing a woman go under water and not re-emerge. 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. Prior Lake and the surrounding trail, in Thetis Lake Regional Park, which had been closed since Saturday afternoon, will open shortly. We thank the public for their patience and send our condolences to the family and friends of this woman, said Cpl Nancy Saggar, Media Relations Office, West Shore RCMP.”
News as first posted on August 12, 2023 by Island Social Trends:
Prior Lake and McKenzie Creek Trail, located in Thetis Lake Regional Park, have been temporarily closed by the Capital Regional District (CRD) — in consultation with Westshore RCMP, due to an ongoing police investigation.
Barricades and closure signs have been put up at either end of the McKenzie Creek Trail and Prior Lake by CRD Regional Park Staff who are assisting first responders.
- West Shore RCMP said in a press release at 5:48 pm that today they “responded to an incident at Prior Lake in Thetis Lake Regional Park”.
- CRD says in a news release issued at 5:57 pm today: “Please avoid the area at this time. Thank you for your patience.“
- Another West Shore RCMP release (with update) is expected later this evening or tomorrow, says CRD.
RCMP needs space and privacy to work:
“Due to the nature of the investigation, and in consultation with the CRD, Prior Lake and the nearby McKenzie Creek Trail have been temporarily closed to allow crews the space and privacy they need to work,” says Cst Andrew Matheson, West Shore RCMP, Media Relations.
Thetis Lake Regional Park:
CRD describes Thetis Lake Regional Park as:
- Swamp and lake ecosystems for nature study
- Delicate spring wildflowers, Garry oak ecosystems and Douglas-fir forest
- Freshwater lakes for swimming, canoeing and fishing (lakes stocked with catchable Rainbow Trout)
- Multi-use trails open to mountain biking
- Beaches and picnic areas
CRD regional parks:
CRD regional parks receive nearly five million visits a year, and thankfully there are very few serious incidents in parks. However, the CRD appreciates the public’s assistance in keeping parks safe.
If you see a park violation, please report it to CRD Regional Parks at 250.478.3344 or crdparks@crd.bc.ca. For serious incidents in parks, dial 911.
Please visit www.crd.bc.ca/alerts and Twitter @crd_bc for updates on the status of this closure. For media inquiries related to the incident please contact Westshore RCMP.
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends has been covering west shore area news since 2008.
We started as MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), then morphed to a weekly print newspaper Sooke Voice News (2011-2013), which expanded to a weekly colour print/PDF newspaper West Shore Voice News, and then went fully online mid-2020 at IslandSocialTrends.ca .
Check out IslandSocialTrends.ca daily for local, regional, provincial and national news updates — based out of the west shore of Greater Victoria.
