Castlegar man missing after vehicle plunges into river
By Castlegar Source
A Castlegar man is still missing after his vehicle sank into the river near Brilliant Bridge, according to RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew.
“On May 5 at 2:12 pm, a hiker (who was on the opposite side of the river) called 9-1-1 to report that he had seen a vehicle lose control on Brilliant Road and plunge into the Kootenay River,” Mathew said. “RCMP attended immediately along with the fire department and EHS. The vehicle was completely submerged and there was no sign of the driver.”
She said a dog riding in the truck was able to escape and make it to safety.
“Search and Rescue teams attended and searched the river and shorelines,” she said. “The RCMP dive team attended, however the flow of the river made it too unsafe to deploy divers. An underwater video camera was also deployed, however the current is too fast for this method to be successful. Helicopter searches have been conducted but the water is too fast and deep to see the vehicle.”
Mathew said witnesses indicate there was only one person in the vehicle, a Castlegar man who is still missing and whose name is not being released.
“The RCMP, along with Search and Rescue, continue to investigate and search. The river conditions will continue to be monitored and when it is safe to dispatch divers, this will be reconsidered.”
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