THE SEARCH CONTINUES for a missing kayaker who reportedly overturned in the high-running waters of Cheakamus River Sunday evening, June 21, police said in a release.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., Whistler RCMP received a report of a kayaker that had overturned near the MacLaurin’s Crossing suspension bridge while kayaking with friends. Police, Whistler Search and Rescue, the Whistler Fire Rescue Service’s swift-water team and friends of the kayaker immediately began the search before it was called off at about 9:30 p.m. as darkness fell.
The search resumed Monday morning, with a helicopter, search-and-rescue volunteers, Whistler RCMP and fellow kayakers assisting in the efforts. At about 9:30 a.m., the missing man’s kayak was found trapped in a logjam several kilometres downstream from where he was reported missing.
Police said the river is running “very high and fast, which has made searching difficult and extremely dangerous for searches both on the water and at the shoreline.” With the weather forecast predicting more rain, it is expected that “the river will be running high and fast for some time,” the release went on.
As of late Tuesday morning, the RCMP said there was still no further sign of the missing kayaker. A police helicopter was out until 7 p.m. Monday evening assisting in the search.
On its Twitter account, Squamish RCMP said Sea to Sky police received “multiple calls over the weekend due to flipped kayaks, kayakers in trouble, or empty kayaks located” and urged the public to assess their skill level and terrain before heading out on the water in the current conditions.
Police said they would not be releasing any further information on the missing man at this time.
This story has been updated since publication.
