'Truly kind, devoted': West Vancouver mayor identifies drowning victim

The victim of a tragic drowning event on Friday has been identified by West Vancouver’s mayor.

In a tribute, Mark Sager says the victim who was swept away in a fast-flowing creek in Cypress Falls Park three days ago was his “dear friend” Keen Lau.

“Keen was universally loved by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him,” notes Sager in a memorial statement.

“Our community of West Vancouver has lost a very special person who never uttered an unkind word to or about anyone. He saw the very best in humanity.”

The mayor’s statement says Lau volunteered in various capacities with the BC Children’s Hospital, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation and the HSBC sponsored First Nations Youth Rugby Clinic.

Sager says he was also very passionate about the mountains and was a board member for the BC Mountain Foundation and volunteered for trail maintenance with the BC Mountaineering Club. Lau also ran in the 2022 municipal election.

“He was a truly kind, devoted, and highly empathetic individual. Keen was also an extremely competent and capable athlete, and together we shared a passion for skiing and cycling,” writes Sager.

Lau had recently married “the love of his life,” he adds. Lau is also survived by his mother and brother.

“My heart goes out to these people who will especially feel this untimely loss of a truly kind and wonderful son, brother and husband forever,” says Sager.

Authorities have not issued a formal identification but did report that a man in his 40s had been swept away in a creek in Cypress Falls Park Friday night and was found deceased early Saturday morning.