Early results of a safety investigation into a Fraser Valley water park have found "electrical non-compliances" that may have contributed to an incident Monday that sent a dozen children to hospital, some with serious electric burns.
Investigation Findings
On Wednesday, Technical Safety B.C. stated that its safety officers remained on site at Cultus Lake Waterpark to assess the state of the facility's electrical infrastructure. In a statement, the agency said, "Preliminary findings have identified electrical non-compliances at the site. In order for the park to reopen, we will need to conduct further investigation, and the park owner will need to correct all hazards." As a result, the waterpark remains closed with no timeline for reopening.
Incident Details
Just after 11 a.m. on Monday, 12 children visiting the water park experienced an electric shock while touching a metal railing in the queuing area of the Zero-60 Raceway waterslide. Most of the children were students of Port Coquitlam's Minnekhada middle school, attending a year-end field trip. Ten children were taken to Abbotsford hospital, while two were airlifted to B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver.
Darin Nielsen, a parent who spoke to Postmedia, reported that at least four of the injured children were discharged or slated for discharge on Tuesday, including his daughter Bella, who suffered an electrical burn to her left leg.
Regulatory Oversight
Technical Safety B.C. is leading the investigation. Water slides are considered amusement devices and are regulated under the Safety Standards Act. The agency emphasized that "when an incident or equipment failure occurs, the operator must make all necessary safety improvements and repairs." They remain committed to working with the park to support a return to operation once all outstanding issues are corrected.
Park Closure Extended
On Tuesday, Andrew Steunenberg, the park's chief administrative officer, confirmed that an initial 48-hour closure had been extended indefinitely. Postmedia has sought further details from the agency regarding the specific nature of the electrical non-compliances, the number of hazards identified, and their locations within the park.
