Locals and visitors alike are being warned by RCMP and Search and Rescue officials to use extreme caution when around Squamish rivers and report any incidents immediately after a group of rafters in three watercraft fell into the Cheakamus River on Sunday.
Earlier Sunday a man was swept away into the swollen and rushing Squamish River. The search for him continues.
With their warning to be cautious around Squamish waterways, Squamish Emergency Services personnel hope to prevent further incidents from occurring over the upcoming May long weekend, which usually sees many locals and tourists out near increasingly swollen local rivers.
With this second incident, Squamish RCMP say a resident discovered two unoccupied red and black rafts in the Cheakamus River by Fisherman's Park.
Squamish RCMP and Squamish Search and Rescue searched the area and discovered that indeed three people had overturned in the river.
"Through the investigation, several witnesses were located who saw the group, including a wedding party, who took a video of three individuals — two males and a female — riding in three separate rafts," Squamish RCMP said in a news release.
All were wearing helmets, wetsuits, and lifejackets, but it was obvious to onlookers that the group was in trouble in the raging waters, the release states.
While the rafters have not been located, a search and rescue crewmember told police that three people were seen safely exiting the Cheekye River.
The description of the three matches the video taken. The group was also seen loading one raft into the back of a black pickup that had a canopy.
The RCMP want to hear from the rafters involved.
"The police need to assess their well-being and find out what happened during the incident," stated Cpl. Sascha Banks in the release.
Anyone with any information regarding the rafters is asked to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, text 274637, or go to www.solvecrime.ca
