The search for a man who is believed to have drowned in the Columbia River continues today.
Revelstoke RCMP say the man and his friends were enjoying the weather and drinking at the Centennial Park boat launch when the man lost his balance and fell into the water on Wednesday, Apr. 21, at around 1 p.m.
“The river was running quickly and the male was swept into the current,” said Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky in a news release. “Witnesses attempted to enter the water however were unsuccessful in assisting the victim.”
Revelstoke RCMP, Fire Rescue services and Search & Rescue volunteers searched the shoreline for three hours looking for the man. An RCMP police boat, helicopter, private boat, and dozens of people searched the river by land, water and air in their attempt to find the man.
They are continuing the search today.
“We continue focussing our energies on a visual search of the Columbia River,” said Grabinsky. “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.”
BC Hydro has reduced the flow in the river to help with the search.
The victim is believed to be a local man, about 69 years old. He was wearing a blue shirt, jeans and glasses.