Abby man presumed drowned
Full-scale search abandoned on Thompson River
By Rochelle Baker, The TimesAugust 23, 2011
RCMP are scaling back the search for an Abbotsford man swept away while swimming in the Thompson River Saturday.
He's now presumed drowned.
Lytton RCMP received a report just prior to 3 p.m. that a man was overtaken by the current in Thompson River near Goldpan Provincial Park, 27 kilometres northeast of Lytton, said RCMP Cpl. Annie Linteau. The 41-yearold victim was swimming with friends and reportedly attempted to swim out to a rock when he got swept away.
His friends were unable to pull him from the water.
The man was not wearing a personal floatation device and has not been seen since the incident. Lytton RCMP, members of a nearby search and rescue team, and a police helicopter conducted a thorough search of the area Saturday and Sunday but were unable to locate the man.
A full-scale search was abandoned on Monday, but the RCMP helicopter will conduct flyovers in the area over the next few days.
"Unfortunately, he is presumed drowned," she said, adding RCMP have recently attended a number of tragic incidents connected to recreational water activities.
A Mission teenager was killed Aug. 16 after being struck by a boat while tubing at night on Osoyoos Lake.
"There have been many incidents of people being injured or killed in waterrelated activities," said Linteau. "People need to be aware of their limitations and take safety precautions, and really be careful while out on the water."
RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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Topic: Thompson River, August 20th & 21st 2011 (Read 2440 times)