Image: Tyler Man / A rescue operation is underway in Harrison.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Search and rescue incident

UPDATE: Body of male located and recovered from Harrison Hot Springs lagoon

Aug 16, 2025 | 12:22 PM

UPDATE #3 4:12 SATURDAY: In a statement to Fraser Valley Today, Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says a person has tragically drowned in the lagoon in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.

“The Village of Harrison Hot Springs holds the safety of visitors and residents at the highest priority,” Mayor Talen said. “There is an investigation underway by the RCMP and possibly one pending by the Coroner’s office. We cannot comment further until we better understand what happened in this case.”

The Village says it is cooperating with the proper authorities, and offers condolences to the victim’s family.

As of 4:12 p.m., Agassiz RCMP reported that the victim’s body has been found and recovered.

No additional details will be released. All emergency personnel have left the Harrison lagoon area.

Overnight detours on Highway 1

Highway 1 detours through Langley for the next 3 weeks will begin this Tuesday: B.C. govt.

23m ago

Wind warning

Wind warning in effect for the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt, Crowsnest east of Hope

1h ago

Road project in Chilliwack

Multi-use pathway project on Knight Road in Chilliwack to wrap up next month

2h ago

UPDATE #2, 1:22 P.M. SATURDAY: Upper Fraser Valley RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Alexandra Mulvihill has confirmed that Agassiz RCMP, along with fire crews and search and rescue personnel, were called to Harrison Hot Springs Friday night at approximately 11:20 p.m. for a possible drowning.

Sgt. Mulvihill says members of the fire department and search and rescue are still actively looking for the missing person. Members of the RCMP are also on scene providing support.

In a follow-up statement, the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP said the reported drowning remains an active police investigation with the assistance of the fire department and search and rescue.

“No details on the missing person are being released at this time,” Sgt. Mulvihill said.

Foul play is not believed to be a factor in this investigation, Sgt. Mulvihill said.

Police are asking people to please avoid the area of the Harrison lagoon, both on foot and in vehicles.

“There are a lot of emergency vehicles, and personnel on scene and they will continue to need priority access into the area as this investigation continues,” Sgt. Mulvihill said.

Original story: 

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS — Members of the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP, Harrison Hot Springs fire crews, and Kent Harrison Search and Rescue volunteers responded late Friday night for some kind of rescue operation at the lagoon in Harrison Hot Springs.

According to Harrison resident Tyler Man, that same operation remains underway Saturday morning as emergency responders in vests rode in two rafts in the lagoon earlier today.

Man provided multiple pictures to Fraser Valley Today both from Friday night and Saturday morning. He estimates Harrison Hot Springs fire crews were cleared from the scene sometime after 3 a.m., and the scene was left in care of RCMP. At least two KHSAR vehicles set up command near the lagoon.

Image: Tyler Man / Ambulance and RCMP near the Harrison lagoon between Friday night and early Saturday morning.

As of Saturday morning, Man said, “They now have the road closed and police tape blocking the whole entire lagoon area.”

Image: Tyler Man

Man says there is a group of what appears to be family and/or friends gathered at the lagoon.

“You can definitely feel the emotion of everyone around here. It’s pretty quiet compared to normal,” said Man, who said it appears there may be some kind of underwater drone being utilized by emergency crews.

Scanner traffic indicated first responders were called to the lagoon for the report of a drowning late Friday night.

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has released a statement on its Facebook page: “At the request of the RCMP, the lagoon will be closed for swimming until further notice. Thank you for your consideration and respect of the area during this time.”