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Second drowning victim’s body recovered

Men drowned while swimming in Gold Creek near Maple Ridge
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A volunteer with Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue navigates Gold Creek during a search for two men who drowned while swimming in the Lower Falls.

Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue have found the body of a young man who drowned while swimming in Golden Ears Park last week.

A crew of volunteers recovered the body from Gold Creek Wednesday morning, six days after the 22-year-old and a friend were sucked under water by strong currents.

The men were swimming with a group of friends at the top of a waterfall when they were swept away.

One of the men - a 19-year-old from Delta - was spotted by a RCMP helicopter downstream.

Swift water rescuers from the Maple Ridge Fire Department and Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue reached his body the same day, two kilometres from the falls.

Crews continued to search for the second man, who was from Surrey, but called of the search Saturday because the water was too dangerous.

"This is truly a sad and tragic event," said Cpl. Alanna Dunlop with Ridge Meadows RCMP.

"The loss of two young men to drowning affects many people."

Although the case is still being investigated, police are blaming their deaths on the fast-moving water in Gold Creek.

"The recent warm weather and rapid snow pack melt has resulted in rivers and streams being swollen and contain faster moving water than normal. This appears to have played a major role in this incident," Dunlop added.

The investigation is now in the hands of the B.C. Coroner’s office.

The names of both men are not being released at the request of their families.