Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Docks near main beach at Cultus Lake are pictured. Chilliwack RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk says Mounties will continue their search for a 22-year-old Surrey man who drowned at Cultus Lake last week. Chilliwack RCMP, Cultus Lake Fire Department, Chilliwack Search and Rescue and BC Emergency Services were dispatched on Wednesday, July 19 after a 22-year-old Surrey man, Ajay Singh, entered Cultus Lake and never resurfaced. He was last seen near the main beach area off a public dock close to Fir Street.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Cultus Lake drowning

Chilliwack RCMP not giving up on search for man who drowned at Cultus Lake

Jul 25, 2023 | 7:42 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk says Mounties will continue their search for a 22-year-old man who drowned at Cultus Lake last week.

Chilliwack RCMP, Cultus Lake Fire Department, Chilliwack Search and Rescue and BC Emergency Services were dispatched on Wednesday, July 19 after a 22-year-old Surrey man, Ajay Singh, entered Cultus Lake and never resurfaced. He was last seen near the main beach area off a public dock close to Fir Street.

“Initial accounts from those present reported that the man did not know how to swim but entered the water in an attempt to rescue a friend whom he believed to be drowning,” Sgt. Vrolyk said in a statement. “Information later received from Singh’s family indicates that he did, in fact, know how to swim. A nearby boater was alerted by the sounds of people in distress and he attended the area to bring the others to safety before diving in the water himself in attempts to locate Mr. Singh.”

Sgt. Vrolyk says the RCMP will continue dedicating resources to finding Singh so that his family has answers.

“We know that you will not rest until you have answers,” Sgt. Vrolyk said in a statement. “It is important that you know that our file remains active and we will continue to dedicate resources in efforts to locate Ajay so that you have those answers.”

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On the evening when Singh first disappeared, the Cultus Lake Fire Department deployed their boat in order to search for the man but were not able to locate him, Sgt. Vrolyk said. Chilliwack Search and Rescue and a member of the RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team attended to conduct a site assessment. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, together with Search and Rescue and members of the Chilliwack RCMP’s Seasonal Policing Section began extensive and coordinated search efforts on Thursday morning, July 20. The search continued for the next approximately 10 hours but did not locate Singh, Sgt. Vrolyk said.

On Friday, July 21, members of the Chilliwack RCMP Seasonal Policing Section made multiple patrols of Cultus Lake in attempts to locate Mr. Singh. They were unable to locate him.

On Saturday, July 22, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team and RCMP Seasonal Policing Section resumed their search and spent approximately 10 hours searching the area where Singh was last seen. They were unable to locate Singh.

On Sunday, July 23, the Chilliwack RCMP’s Seasonal Police Section once again conducted boat patrols of the lake.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ajay’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time,” Sgt. Vrolyk said.

The RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team is expected to return today, Tuesday, July 25, to resume their dive efforts.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Chilliwack RCMP not giving up on search for man who drowned at Cultus Lake

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