12-year-old girl in critical condition after near-drowning at Rotary Lake

A 12-year-old girl is in "grave condition" in a Lower Mainland hospital after being pulled unconscious from a popular man-made lake in Dawson Creek, B.C.

An intake grate may have caused her to beheldunderwater for several minutes, according to police.

RCMP say the girl waspulled fromRotary Lake by other park-goers and was still unconscious whenthey arrived at about 6:20 p.m. PTSaturday evening.

She was taken to a nearby hospital but flown to the Lower Mainland for more care, police say.

"As ofTuesday, the young girl remains in grave condition on life support with family at her side," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

"Our thoughts and those of the community of Dawson Creekare with her and her family."

The popular swimming hole is in Mile 0 park, just off Highway 97 in Dawson Creek.No lifeguards are posted at the lakeand a sign at the park's entrance warns visitors they are swimming at their own risk.

RCMP say they're still investigating the incident, but say an intake grate atthe spot where the 12 year oldnearly drowned "may have contributed to the girl remaining submerged."

To secure the scene for the investigation and to prevent any potential risk to the public, RCMP in Dawson Creek ordered the pool drained.

The park's manager,Bert Goulet, had few details to share about the incident and said the park is waiting for investigators' findings.

He said the incident took place atone of the lake's deepest points where water is just under five feet deep.

The lake is closed until further notice.

With files from Andrew Kurjata