Two dead and one missing after boating accident in Squamish Valley
Two people were found dead and a third remains missing following a boat incident on the Squamish River, with rescue efforts hampered by high water and severe weather.
Two people have been confirmed dead and another individual is missing after a boating incident on the Squamish River on Thursday, authorities said. The Squamish RCMP received a call about the incident at about 1:52 p.m. and noted that elevated water levels and challenging weather made search and rescue operations extremely difficult and unsafe.
"The weather and river conditions have played a significant role in the response efforts," Cpl. Ashley MacKay of the Squamish RCMP said in a release. "This is a very dynamic and evolving incident, and the safety of responders and the public remains paramount. Weather patterns, water levels, and river conditions can change rapidly, and those factors are being continuously assessed as search and recovery efforts continue. We are asking the public to stay off the water at this time due to dangerous flow rates and debris throughout the river systems."
The search for the missing person continued into Friday. The incident occurred amid a broader series of storms that have caused flooding and evacuation orders in the Sea-to-Sky region, including the Village of Pemberton and parts of the Lilʼwat Nation territory. The provincial River Forecast Centre had issued a flood warning for the area, which was downgraded on Friday morning.