Despite an extensive search of the river on Wednesday, a 69-year-old man who fell into the Columbia River has not been located. In a statement on Thursday, Revelstoke RCMP provided details of the incident in a media release:
At approximately 1 pm on Wednesday, April 20, police, fire and ambulance were advised of a male who had fell into the Columbia River. Ambulance and fire attended and assisted two witnesses as well as made attempts to locate the male in the water. Police attended and patrolled the shoreline, as well as launched the police boat and requested the RCMP helicopter from Kelowna. SAR was activated and patrolled the shore from Centennial Park to 12 Mile. Following over three hours of searching the missing male was not located.
The name of the missing male has not been released as efforts are being made to notify his family. Friends in Revelstoke have been made aware of the incident.
The victim and witnesses were along the shore line of the boat launch consuming alcohol and enjoying the warm weather. It is reported that the male victim lost his balance and fell into the river. The river was running quickly and the male was swept into the current. The male is approximately 69 years of age, was wearing a blue shirt and jeans and glasses. Witnesses attempted to enter the water however were unsuccessful in assisting the victim.
At this point the male victim has not been located, and we continue focussing our energies on a visual search of the Columbia River. SAR continues to deploy resources where possible and the RCMP helicopter is returning today to continue a search of the Columbia River from Centennial Park to Arrow Lake.
The RCMP has been extremely thankful of BC Hydro for assisting in this search by reducing the water flow in the Columbia River, providing an improved opportunity to scour the shoreline and other river features.
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