First responders warn against Lynn Canyon cliff-jumping - Action News
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British Columbia

First responders warn against Lynn Canyon cliff-jumping

The North Vancouver RCMP and District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services are urging Lynn Canyon Park visitors to exercise caution and avoid cliff jumping.

This summer, the RCMP said police and the district's park rangers are increasing patrols at Lynn Canyon

Teenagers jump into the water at Lynn Canyon Park.
Teenagers jump from cliffs beyond a fence near Twin Bridge Falls bridge at Lynn Valley Canyon in North Vancouver. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

When he was 19, District of North Vancouver Fire Chief Mike Dankssaid he took part in a popular but risky pastime that he now warns against: cliff-jumping.

But as he was making his way along a circuit of jumps at Lynn Canyon, Danks said, he slipped and sliced his hand open on broken glass. Decades later, he still has ascar running from his palm to his wrist.

"That was a very deep cut," he said, while standing on the suspension bridge overlooking that jumping area.

"Fortunately, I had friends with me and we were able to make our way out, but that was a big lesson for me. I didn't want to be in that situation again."

A man showing a light scar on his palm and wrist
Mike Danks, fire chief of the District of North Vancouver, showed a scar that he said he got while making his way along a circuit of jumps at Lynn Canyon when he was 19. He said he slipped and sliced his hand open on broken glass. (CBC)

Danks told his story amidan effort by the North Vancouver RCMP and the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (FRS)that cautions visitorsto Lynn Canyon Park, which receives over half a million annually, against the pastime.

"We've obviously had way too many tragedies," said Const. Mansoor Sahak, a media relations officer with North Vancouver RCMP, in early August.

Most recently, a man in his 20s died in early July after cliff jumping at Twin Falls in Lynn Canyon. There have also been deaths due to confirmed or suspected cliff-jumping accidents in 2020 and 2016.

Police said there have been more than 40 deaths in the park over the last 50 years.The district's Fire Rescue Services saiditresponds to "countless rescues" each year.

WATCH |North Vancouver first responders warn about the dangers of cliff diving:

North Vancouver first responders warn about the dangers of cliff diving

1 month ago
Duration 2:15
With warm weather coming up, emergency officials are cautioning people against cliff diving. The warning follows the death of a young man who had jumped into Lynn Canyon this summer. Jon Hernandez made the trip to the North Vancouver park, where thrill seekers continue taking to the cliffs.

This summer, Sahak said police and the district's park rangers are increasing patrols at Lynn Canyon. He added that alcohol consumption is not allowed in the area.

"It's a beautiful park, so we're not telling people not to go there," he said.

"We're telling people to know about the dangers and the dangerous cliffs there. It's very slippery. It's very cold water, even during the summer season."

Barry MacRury also warned against the idea. He said he cliff jumped in the area when he was 14 and nearly drowned.

"That water is like liquid ice," he said. "You don't realize how cold it is until it hits you."

Corrections

  • This story has been updated to remove claims made by Barry MacRury that he was a member of the U.S. Navy. The CBC has been unable to verify claims about his military service.
    Aug 13, 2024 10:00 AM PT

With files from Tanushi Bhatnagar and Jon Hernandez