For the second consecutive week, tragedy hit the Grand Forks/Christina Lake area.
A week after the death that occurred at Pines Bible Camp as a result of the July 20 wind storm, three people were involved in a tubing accident in the Cascade Falls area of Christina Lake on July 28.
The bodies of two Christina Lake residents – Ronald and Jacqueline Legare – have been recovered, while a 50-year-old from Scotland is still missing and is presumed dead.
While there are signs on the trails near the falls warning of danger, there are no signs or markers on the river warning that the falls are up ahead and some have wondered aloud if there should be signage.
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area C Director Grace McGregor said that even if signs were posted all over the river, they would likely be ignored.
She said that it is crucial that people understand the risks, of tubing in this case, and that holds true not just for tubing but other aspects of life; she said that the Legares would’ve been aware of the risks.
Kayakers normally scout the area that they are about to travel down and know where they should get out of the river.
When planning a driving trip, it pays to look up online if there are any construction stops or accidents or delays along your route.
In the case of tubing, it pays not only to know the area that you will travel but know the conditions too.
Due to late snow melt and heavy rains in the last few months the water levels are higher than normal, with some people estimating that the level of the river near Cascade Falls to be approximately 1.5 to 1.8 metres higher than normal. The river can flow faster when that occurs.
Just because an area that people tubed last year seemed calm, there is no guarantee that it will be calm this year.
Know the risks, as they say