Another drowning has taken place in Alberta and claimed the lives of three adults from the same family. The three from Edmonton drowned while swimming at the bottom of Crescent Falls on the Bighorn River in west-central Alberta. Just before 8pm search and rescue teams were called but unfortunately it was too late to save them.
According to the RCMP, one of the adults got swept away in the fast current of the waterfall and the other 2 tried to help and they also got carried away by the force of the water. Police said three children 10, 6, and 3 were at the scene of this horrific incident yelling for help.
The adults are of South Asian descent. Anoop Kumar Oad, 25, was an exchange student from Pakistan, studying engineering at the University of Alberta. His uncle Dr. Partab Rai Oad, 38, and aunt Venjhar Oad, 38, also died.
According to the RCMP the family was not ready to speak about their lost loved ones, but shared a message via Facebook "We wish for them to put up signs in spots like this where people can be washed away and lose their lives in storms,"
Bystanders in the area also tried to revive them.
Corp. Ryan Hack, of Rocky Mountain House RCMP. said “We offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by and involved in this tragic incident,” Crescent Falls are particularly dangerous because they're so high.
Waterfalls can be especially deceiving so public safety is of utmost concern, people need to be extra careful and shouldn't take being near the water lightly.
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area is closed until August 17 due to a "public safety incident." The closure includes the Crescent Falls campground and day use area.
Last month A Punjabi youth Gagandeep Singh from India drowned in Lake Louise in Alberta.
The video below shows the family at the Falls.
Photo courtesy of Facebook- (Left) Partab Rai Oad, 38 and (Right) Anoop Kumar Oad, 25.
