1 child dead, 1 critically injured in boat crash at North Vancouver's Cates Park

A 10-year-old was killed after a speedboat hit an inflatable tube carrying two children at Cates Park in North Vancouver on Saturday evening, according to police.

North Vancouver RCMP said another boat was towing the inflatable tube when the tube was hit by the speedboat. It happened just before 6:30 p.m. PT on Saturday.

At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Cpl. Mansoor Sahak said that the speedboat driver is now in custody. He added that alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash.

"Life-saving measures were applied to both children," he said. "Sadly, one child did not survive and was pronounced deceased on scene."

Sahak said the other child was airlifted to hospital in serious condition. Their age has not been released by police.

Sahak said the driver of the speedboat, a North Vancouver man, was taken into custody at Cates Park. He said that other people were on the speedboat at the time of the crash.

The spokesperson added that the suspect would not be named as he hasn't been charged yet.

"We're hoping that anyone on the water who witnessed the incident may have had video, could provide that to police, and that's going to help us with our investigation," the corporal said.

In the other boat towing the tube, Sahak said there was only occupant, the driver, who was related to one of the children.

The children are both from Vancouver, he added.

Cates Park is located at the eastern end of Dollarton Highway, along the Burrard Inlet shoreline.

The boat launch at the park, which is also known as Whey-ah-Wichen, was closed Saturday when police were investigating. It has since reopened.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said it received a call on Saturday around 6:37 p.m. and responded with eight units, including a helicopter and the infant care team. 

A statement from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria said that it received a report of a "boating accident" involving two pleasure craft around 6:25 p.m. on Saturday.

It dispatched a lifeboat, rescue craft and hovercraft from nearby to assist with the response.

A spokesperson for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority — which is responsible for boating traffic in the Burrard Inlet, the body of water where the crash happened — said it is supporting police and emergency services.

"We are saddened to hear of the tragic incident that occurred near Cates Park on Saturday evening," the spokesperson said. "Our thoughts are with all those affected."

Locals urge better enforcement

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation, whose traditional territory includes Burrard Inlet, is mourning the loss.

"I've never seen that many first responders in history as long as I've lived here," said Chief Jen Thomas, reflecting on the emergency response that followed the crash.

"Our community was hurting for the family," she said.

Thomas said the community wants to see more active enforcement at the boat launch, particularly to ensure people are properly licensed and operating safely.

"This community is only growing and that's all you see is boats. So I would like to see more enforcement," she said. "It will probably be a busy summer. And I really hope people think about what happened yesterday and take it to heart."

Local residents say safety concerns on the water are not new. Mehdi Bahrami, who frequents the area, said he's observed speeding and reckless behaviour from some boaters.

"They don't pay attention, they try to show off and speed it up," he said.

Bruce Hayne, executive director of the Boating B.C. Association, said that during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, many new boaters obtained pleasure craft operator cards and took to the water, often without extensive experience.

"That puts many more inexperienced boaters on the water at the same time," said Hayne. "And with that can come incidents."

Police say they work year-round to educate boaters and promote safe practices on the water.

"Typically every year we do hold multiple events about boater safety. And so, we're doing everything we can to educate the public and avoid tragedies," Cpl. Sahak said.

"But obviously, we're not going to be able to prevent every ... impaired operator out there on the boat, or every dangerous incident. We just can't be everywhere all the time."