Investigation identifies ‘non-compliance’ issue after children injured at B.C. waterpark

An investigation into an electrical incident that left a dozen kids injured during a field trip has found non-compliance with some safety standards.

The agency leading the investigation into an incident at Cultus Lake Waterpark that sent 12 children to hospital Monday with electrical burns has identified a “non-compliance” issue.

In a statement, Technical Safety B.C. said its preliminary findings include “electrical non-compliances” at the Fraser Valley attraction.

“We’re currently investigating the installation history of the park’s lighting system to see if that has had an interaction with the infrastructure for the amusement ride devices. We don’t have a final conclusion yet,” said Kate Parker, vice-president of operations for the agency.

“We classify this as a major safety incident, and in my time at Technical Safety B.C. over the last eight years, I haven’t had another incident where we saw electrical shock at a waterpark,” she added. “This is an unusual incident.”

Technical Safety B.C. said officers remain on site at the waterpark conducting a thorough assessment of the equipment.

The owner will “need to correct all hazards” before it can resume operations, the agency added. There is currently no timeline for reopening.

Related: Father of girl shocked at B.C. waterpark speaks out

Children from Minnekhada Middle School in Port Coquitlam were hurt after making contact with a railing in the queuing area beneath a ride.

The Grade 6 and 7 students were on a field trip.

CTV News spoke with one parent who said his daughter had a big red mark on her leg, and had lost some sensation in her lower leg, but was doing OK and had been release d from Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

Fraser Health confirmed all of the children sent to Abbotsford hospital had been discharged, but couldn’t comment on whether any had been transferred to another faciliaty. One parent told CTV Newshe understood a total of four children were sent to BC Children’s Hospital for treatment.

CTV News contacted BC Children’s, but did not receive a response.

“Our hearts go out to the children and families that have been impacted by this devastating incident,” Parker said.